Irresponsible VE Day street parties could lead to new spike in cases, council leader says
A council leader from the area with the highest coronavirus infection rate in Wales says the irresponsible VE Day street parties may cause a new spike in cases.
The Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Cllr Andrew Morgan told ITV Cymru Wales, "unless we're careful we could see another spike in two week's time".
There were reports on social media of people breaking the two-metre rule at street parties held for VE Day.
"I've been sent some examples where people have probably gone much further than they should have", Cllr Morgan said. "Generally people have abided by the advice this week that if you're going to have a street party you stay in your front gardens and not go out in the road.
"Unfortunately in some areas it has been a bit of a free-for-all and I'm concerned some people are still not taking this seriously.
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Per head of population, RCT Council is the most infected area in the country according to Public Health Wales data.
"It's wrong that some people are breaking the rules when the majority of people are doing their bit", Andrew Morgan added.
"It's frustrating. If people could see the data that we see about coronavirus, I think people would think twice about this. A small number of people think it won't affect them.
First Minister Mark Drakeford MS announced a set of "minor" changes to the lockdown rules on Friday, which will come into force on Monday.
People will now be allowed to exercise outdoors more than once a day and garden centres, libraries and rubbish tips can now open if social distancing can be practiced in those premises.
The lockdown rules as they stand now will last for at least another three weeks, until the next review by the Welsh Government on May 28th.
Cllr Morgan urged people to think about how their actions could affect those working on the front line against the virus.
"NHS staff can do without the added pressure of people turning up with broken legs and bandages because they've got drunk and fallen over", Cllr Morgan said.
"We're in a lockdown. This isn't an extended holiday. 600 people died in the last 24 hours. That's the same as two planes falling out of the sky. I just can't understand why some people don't take this".