Reminder: Current Welsh Government guidance   

• Current restrictions: Summary
• Current restrictions: Frequently asked questions
• Current restrictions: Gathering with other people
• Staying safe during the COVID-19 outbreak (easy read)

All homelessness and housing-related guidance can be found on the Welsh Government website here. 

COVID-19 Wales situational report: 22 July 2021  

The Welsh Government has published the latest situational report by the COVID-19 Intelligence Cell and Health Protection Advisory Group. This outlines the current status of the pandemic, key risks and the current situation with regards to the NHS, social care services, schools, travel and vaccination. 

COVID-19: Shielding

The Minister for Health and Social Services has published a written statement regarding advice for people who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable as restrictions continue to ease. The Welsh Government has also updated the following gudiance:

• Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from Coronavirus (COVID-19) 
• Guidance on protecting people most likely to get very poorly from coronavirus (shielding): Easy read guide

Written Statement: NHS Covid 19 App close contact notifications and self-isolation advice 

The Minister for Health and Social Services has published a written statement about NHS Covid-19 App notifications and self-isolation advice:

• In August, as part of the next 21 day review cycle, the Welsh Government aims to remove the requirement for people who have been fully vaccinated to self-isolate if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive.  
• Until any changes are introduced it is essential that anyone asked to self-isolate does so.

Cymorth is taking part in discussions with Welsh Government officials about how this will affect care and support workers in Wales, and whether additional risk assessments, testing or other protocols will need to be in place to ensure safety of people using services who are clinically vulnerable. 

Public premises and workplace COVID-19 risk assessment

The Welsh Government has published a risk assessment template for employers to use in line with their responsibilities under Regulation 16 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020. This aims to help employers to:

• identify what activity or situation under their control might cause or support or enable transmission of the virus
• think about who could be at risk
• decide how likely it is that someone could be exposed
• act to remove the activity or situation, or if this isn’t possible, control the risk by applying reasonable measures

Care and support guidance

The Welsh Government has published some new information and guidance for care and support serices, including:

• Guidance: Adult day centre social care
• Action Card – Staff working in care homes, supported living and the community 

All of the Welsh Government's social care guidance can be found on their website. 

Welsh Government Social Care Recovery Framework

The Welsh Government has published a Social Care Recovery Framework, which outlines the principles and priorities designed to help the social care sector to recover from the effects of COVID-19. 

COVID-19 Vaccination - JCVI announcement on vaccinating Children & Young People

The Minister for Health and Social Services has published a written statement about the JCVI advice on the vaccination of children and young people. This states:

• Young people aged 16 to 17 who are at higher risk of serious COVID-19, as currently set out in the Green Book, have already been offered the COVID-19 vaccination and should continue to be offered.
• Children and young people aged 12 years and over who are household contacts of persons who are immunosuppressed should be offered a COVID-19 vaccination. There is a self-referral form available.
• JCVI also advises that operationally, it is reasonable to allow a lead-in time to offer vaccination to those children who are within three months of their 18th birthday to ensure good uptake of vaccine in newly-turned 18 year olds. We will move quickly to vaccinate those turning 18 years old, including those intending to go to university.

COVID-19 Vaccination Progress

The Minister for Health and Social Services has published a written statement about progress against the COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy. The Welsh Government has also published their COVID-19 vaccination programme weekly update for 27 July 2021.

Public Health Wales has published its latest COVID-19 Vaccination Enhanced Surveillance Equality report, which provides data about vaccination progress by sex, socioeconomic deprivation and ethnic group. 

COVID-19 Vaccination: promotional pack for employers

The Welsh Government has published a series of promotional materials that employers can use to encourage their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccination. This includes guidance, Q&A, web banners, social media assets and email signatures. 

Reminder: NHS COVID Pass

The Welsh Government has updated its guidance about the NHS COVID Pass, which people can use to show their vaccination status for travel.