CHANGES have been made to a number of services in Conwy in response to measures implement to combat the spread of Covid-19.

Play Areas

All play areas are closed in the interests of public safety. Parks will remain open for the time being - please be responsible and keep to social distancing guidelines.

Waste and Recycling

To keep refuse and recycling collections going, Conwy County Borough Council said they need help in protecting staff.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: "If your household is self-isolating because someone has viral symptoms, please do not put your recycling out for collection for 14 days. After 14 days, you can put out your recycling and we will take any extra that doesn’t fit in your trolibocs.

"Don’t forget to wash your hands before you put out your bin and recycling containers, and again as soon as you bring them back in."

Crest will not be collecting pink or purple recycling bags.

No new bookings are being taken for bulky waste at the moment, due to staff shortages at partner Crest.

Household Recycling Centres at Abergele and Mochdre are closed until further notice, in line with Government guidance.

Saturday mobile recycling centres will not be running until further notice, in line with Government guidance.

Mochdre Office is closed - the ERF Advice Team can be contacted on (01492) 575337 or email erf@conwy.gov.uk

Crematorium and Cemeteries

The chapel at Colwyn Bay Crematorium is only open to immediate family members, with a maximum of 20 people. Mourners are advised to follow national guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.

All burials will be a graveside service only for immediate family members only.

Conwy Council are offering free webcasting of memorial services.

Great Orme Tramway

The opening of the 2020 season is being postponed until further notice.

This means that no trams will be running and Victoria Station, Halfway Station and the Great Orme Visitor Centre, will remain closed.

Public Toilets

Public toilets across Conwy county are closed.

This is so cleaning and resources can be prioritise across facilities, allowing the council to keep vital services going.

A spokesperson said: "We don’t take any decision to close council facilities lightly, but our absolute priority is the health and welfare of the public and our staff as the country deals with the impact of the coronavirus."

Bodlondeb and Coed Pella

In the interest of public health and safety Council Offices are closed to the public.

Any queries relating to Council services call 01492 574000 or visit www.conwy.gov.uk for details on how to access essential services.

Registrars

Registrars in Conwy will only be registering babies born within the county. Babies born elsewhere, will have to be registered in the county in which they were born.

Revenue and Benefits Service

The face-to-face service has closed. Contact 01492 576491 or visit the website at www.conwy.gov.uk/benefits

Homeless Prevention Service

The face to face duty service has closed.

Any person homeless or threatened with homelessness can now contact the service between 9.30am and 5.15pm on 0300 124 0050 or email housingsolutions@conwy.gov.uk The emergency out of hours number is 0300 123 3079.

Social Care

Social Care teams are continuing to deliver services to the public.

A spokesperson for the Council said: "We’re following the latest government advice, this means sometimes we might be working slightly differently, for example making contact by phone rather than face-to-face, if it is appropriate.

"Learning disability day services at Canolfan Marl, Canolfan Riviere, Children’s Clubs and work opportunities are closed."

Community Support

Do you know someone in need, or self-isolating? There are a number of people ready to help with shopping, collecting prescriptions, picking up the phone for a chat, and other support.

Find out what is available within your community (01492) 575544.

Galw Gofal

Galw Gofal is operating as usual, providing 24/7 emergency telecare and out of hours call monitoring service to help protect older or vulnerable people in their own homes. Galw Gofal is committed to helping our customers remain safe and well at this time.

Business support

The Welsh Government has announced a package of support worth £1.4bn for small businesses to help them during the coronavirus outbreak.

Conwy council is working with Welsh Government to implement announced emergency fiscal aid packages.

Details are still being finalised and the council will implement these schemes as soon as they are able to.

Information and any relevant online application forms will be available on the Conwy website at https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Business/Business-Rates/Welsh-Government-Business-Grants.aspx

Trading Standards

To protect against the risks to public health arising from coronavirus, Welsh Government has issued legislation for businesses selling food or drink for consumption on the premises to close, as well as range of other premises.

The Council’s Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers will be enforcing compliance with these regulations.

Businesses are urged to read the Order and comply with its requirements at: https://gov.wales/health-protection-coronavirus-business-closure-wales-regulations-2020?fbclid=IwAR2YQqYGNBtdO2_AiPLNmxkzXgOOJhj3NTpNbNPnVZzHB9RmKggqvnncM2I

Other non-essential businesses must also shut: https://gov.wales/coranivirus-covid-19-closure-businesses-and-premises

Caravan Parks are one of the businesses that appear in the list of non-essential businesses that must shut.

There’s an exemption for people that live permanently in caravan parks or are staying in caravan parks as interim abodes, where their primary residence is not available, they can continue to do so.

More details at: https://gov.wales/coranivirus-covid-19-closure-businesses-and-premises

Planning, Licensing and Trading Standards

Walk-in services are temporarily suspended. Phone or email for advice, or to make an appointment.

Planning Advice Service: (01492) 575247 / cynllunioplanning@conwy.gov.uk

Licensing: (01492) 576626 / licensing@conwy.gov.uk

Trading Standards: (01492) 574110 / trading.standards@conwy.gov.uk

Schools

If your child has free school meals, lunches will be provided for them.

If you are a key worker and are not able to arrange childcare for your children, Conwy Council’s schools will offer this to you.

A spokesperson for Conwy Council said: "We must insist that if you are a keyworker and are able to provide alternative childcare provision for your children that you do this. For example, if only one parent is a key worker and another is at home, or not working that day, then you keep your child at home rather than send them to school.

"Key workers whose children normally attend a Conwy school will be able to access childcare facilities in their current schools."

For Welsh Government guidance on childcare for parents and childcare providers head to gov.wales/coronavirus-and-childcare-provision

Information about school closures and exam cancellations at www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Resident/School-Closures-and-Cancellation-of-Examinations.aspx

Leisure Centres

All Conwy County Borough leisure centres are closed.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: "We will be freezing all Direct Debit payments for fitness memberships and swimming lessons, effective immediately.

"We will not be making any collections on your direct debits until centres reopen.

"You don't need to do anything. We will contact you when collections are going to be remade. Any pre-paid memberships such as annual memberships will be carried forward when the centres re-open."

Libraries

All Conwy County Borough libraries are closed.

Tourist Information Centres (TICs)

Conwy Council’s Tourist Information Centres are closed. Services are available by phone, or email and online at www.visitconwy.org.uk

Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwyn

Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwyn are not staging shows or screening films. The restaurant and café bar are closed. Website venuecymru.co.uk/coronavirus

Committee Meetings

Some committee meeting have been postponed.

Check whether a meeting is taking place at modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

BSL Video

COVID 19 - information in British Sign Language (BSL): www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Council/Contact-Us/Sign.aspx

Anyone who has any queries about the virus is urged to visit the Public Health Wales website at phw.nhs.wales for the latest advice.

Conwy County Borough Council is working closely with Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the emergency services to ensure that appropriate and proportionate arrangements are in place to respond to this rapidly developing situation.

The local authority will continue to follow the guidance received from UK Government, Welsh Government and Public Health Wales.