Wales reports no coronavirus daily deaths for the first time since the beginning of lockdown

Public Health Wales has reported no new daily coronavirus deaths for the first time since the beginning of lockdown.

The last time no deaths were reported in Wales was on 19 March, when only two people in the country had died with COVID-19. Lockdown began on 23 March.

According to Monday’s figures, the total number of deaths remains at 1,531, while the number of new cases reported stands at 8. The total number of confirmed cases in Wales is 15,898.

On Sunday the country reported just one death.

To date, 148,903 people have been tested for coronavirus in Wales, with 133,005 testing negative.

Although testing capacity stands at 15,000 each day in Wales, just 3,054 tests were carried out on Sunday.

Starting from Monday, the “stay local” requirement that meant people had to remain within five miles of their home has been lifted.

People are now able to travel into and around the country for the first time since coronavirus lockdown measures were introduced in March, but holiday accommodation remains closed.

It was also announced that people in Wales are now able to see friends and family who live in other households.

Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said in a statement: “Starting today, the requirement to stay local has been lifted by the Welsh government.

“Also, people from two separate households are now permitted to join together to form one exclusive extended household, and this includes people who are shielding.

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“We all have a vital role in preventing the spread of coronavirus by always sticking to social distancing guidelines – that’s staying two metres away from others and washing hands regularly.

“You should also avoid car-sharing with people outside your household.”

Dr Shakar also gave an update to the meat processing factory at the centre of a COVID-19 outbreak in north Wales.

Some 217 coronavirus cases were found among the 560 staff at 2 Sisters on Llangefni, Anglesey, and the chicken plant was temporarily shut for two weeks.

The plant reopened on Friday and gradual meat production started on Monday.

“As the employer resumes operations at the plant, the multi-agency outbreak control team has been reassured by the rigour and robust processes the 2 Sisters management and workforce have put in place to create a safe working environment,” Dr Shakar said.

“We are heartened by the positive response from the workforce and the wider communities of Anglesey and Gwynedd.

“Their support for the testing, contact tracing and isolation phase of our response has helped bring the outbreak rapidly under control.

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“Thanks to the combined efforts of local people, the respective councils, health board and wider agencies, the testing phase of the outbreak is now completed, and cases associated and in the wider community have reduced to background levels.

“Additionally the employer, 2 Sisters Food Group, has confirmed that any untested members of its workforce will not be allowed to return to work at the plant until they have completed a coronavirus test.”

Meanwhile, Wales first minister Mark Drakeford said on Monday that the public should be sensible and responsible if restrictions are lifted.

He said: "My message to people in Wales if we are able to open outdoor hospitality from Monday of next week is: please use these restored freedoms as responsibly as you can.

“In the Welsh government we are very keen to see it reopen, but we will only be able to do more in the future in that sector, and for those people if those of us that do go out to a café, restaurant or a pub, use those freedoms in a way that does not put at risk our ability to go on reopening that sector.”