GTFM News Update

**

The Welsh Government is contacting people in Wales who have been identified as being at very high risk of severe illness from Coronavirus.

The letters include clear advice to stay at home for 12 weeks, lists the medical, practical and emotional support available – with everyone given specific advice about how they can protect themselves, based on their individual medical history and health needs.

The letter also re-assures people their ongoing medical needs will continue to be met and Wales’ 22 local authorities and the Welsh Government are working closely with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) to ensure everyone who receives a letter and needs support will be able to access it in their local community.

**

But the National Umbrella for Disability Organisations in Wales expressed serious concerns about the implications of the Coronavirus Bill on the rights of specific groups, including disabled people ahead of yesterday’s debate in the National Assembly, which followed the second reading of the Bill in the  House of Commons on Monday .

They say while they welcome the UK Government’s amendment to ensure the Corona Virus Bill has to be renewed every six months, given the sweeping nature of the powers, they remain concerned that the Bill suspends the key provisions in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 unless services are needed to protect an adult from abuse, neglect or a risk of that happening – and it contains no express requirement to avoid breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Therefore Welsh charities for the disabled say they believe the Corona Virus Bill presents a real and present danger to the lives of disabled people, effectively rolling back 30 years of progress – and comes after years of chronic under funding of social care which has resulted in a social care system already at breaking point, they say.

Finally some more positive news –

The Leader of RCT Council Cllr Andrew Morgan says he is pleased to announce the council is removing ALL car parking charges in Pontypridd and Aberdare for 4 months to encourage residents to use the smaller food shops and not just the out of town supermarkets. But, he says – please still observe the social distancing rules and avoid crowds at all times.