People in Wales continue to have questions about coronavirus, relating to employment rights, benefits, business support, travel, food, retail, education and lots more.
Senedd Research answers questions from Members and their staff through the usual enquiry process, but we’ve also collated some links to reliable information to help people in Wales.
It’s really important to follow guidance from official and reputable sources. These pages should be used as primary sources of information, rather than news websites or social media.
The Welsh Government has a webpage for all of its coronavirus information, and a page dedicated to addressing misinformation – coronavirus: the facts. It also has guidance on staying safe and social distancing, coronavirus and the law, self-isolating and what people and businesses can and can’t dotesting and tracing.
The Welsh Government published an updated coronavirus control plan, with revised alert levels. Recent and upcoming changes to the restrictions can be found on the Welsh Government website.
Senedd Research has a timeline of the response in Wales which highlights the key developments for more information.
Advice services
- Citizens Advice, Coronavirus - rules you need to follow
- Age Cymru, Coronavirus information for Wales
- Turn2Us, Coronavirus - Latest Support updates
- Shelter Cymru, Housing advice: coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Money Advice Service, Coronavirus support
- Acas, Coronavirus: advice for employers and employees
Animal welfare
Benefits
You can read a summary of the benefits available to people in Wales in our article.
- Welsh Government, Financial support for individuals
- UK Government, Universal Credit and coronavirus
- House of Commons Library, Coronavirus: Withdrawing crisis social security measures
- Step Change debt charity, Debt and coronavirus
Business support
You can read a summary of the business support available in Wales in our article.
- Welsh Government, Business and employers: coronavirus
- Business Wales, Business Support Finder
- Business Wales, Covid-19 Support for Businesses. This page has eligibility checkers for the Cultural Recovery Fund, Economic Resilience Fund and the Residential Outdoor Education Sector Fund
- UK Government, COVID-19: support for businesses (not all information applies in Wales, specifically around business rate relief)
- UK Government, Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Childcare
- Welsh Government, Childcare: coronavirus. Includes links to information on the childcare offer for Wales, protective measures in childcare settings, and guidance for children’s playgrounds and soft play centres.
- Welsh Government, Identifying children of critical workers: guidance
- Care Inspectorate Wales, Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for our childcare and play providers
Children and young people
- Welsh Government, Safeguarding: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Youth work services guidance: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Child employment: coronavirus
- House of Commons Library, Coronavirus: Separated Families and Contact with Children in Care FAQs
- Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Coronavirus – information hub for families and children
Community support
- Welsh Government, Community services: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Safe use of multi-purpose community centres (COVID-19)
- Welsh Government, Youth work services guidance: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, What can I do to help?
- Public Health Wales, ‘How are you doing’ campaign posters
- Welsh Government, Worship, funerals and bereavement: coronavirus
Courts, prisons and justice
You can read our summary of the impact of the pandemic policing and criminal courts in our articles.
- Welsh Government, Guidance for Cafcass Cymru clients
- Cafcass Cymru, Information for children and young people about COVID-19
- UK Government, COVID-19: Courts and tribunals planning and preparation
- UK Government, COVID-19: Visiting prisons
- UK Government, Preventing and controlling outbreaks of COVID-19 in prisons and places of detention
Culture, the Welsh language, tourism and sport
You can read summaries of the impact on journalism, the creative industries, sport, the arts, and the Welsh language in our articles.
- Business Wales, Cultural recovery fund grant eligibility checker
- Welsh Government, Keep Wales Safe: guidance for tourism and hospitality
- Welsh Government, Sport, recreation and leisure: guidance for a phased return
- Welsh Government, Creative industries: guidance for a phased return
- Welsh Government, Culture and heritage destinations and venues: guidance for a phased return
- Welsh Government, Rehearsing, performing and taking part in the performing arts: guidance for a phased return
- Welsh Government, Tourism and hospitality businesses: guidance for a phased reopening
- Welsh Government, Underground attractions: supplementary guidance
- Help Musicians collaboration, Corona advice for musicians
- Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
- Sport Wales, Coronavirus: essential information
- Welsh Government, Guidance on reopening places of worship: coronavirus
Education
Schools
- Welsh Government, Schools: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, School performance reporting arrangements: important update
- Qualifications Wales, Awarding in 2021
- WJEC, Summer 2021: Get the support you need
University, further education and apprenticeships
- Welsh Government, Further education: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Higher education: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Work-based learning and apprenticeships: coronavirus
- Student Finance Wales, COVID-19: Guidance for new and continuing students
- National Union of Students Wales, Coronavirus: Advice Hub (needs an NUS account)
- Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA), Coronavirus - FAQ for students
Employment
You can read a summary of employment rights, youth unemployment and remote working in our articles.
- Welsh Government, work, skills and financial support
- UK Government, Holiday entitlement and pay during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Welsh Government, Get help if you've lost your job or are unemployed (ReAct)
- Working Wales, Advice on redundancy and getting into work
- Welsh Government, Remote working
- House of Commons Library, Coronavirus: Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
Farming, fisheries and forestry
- Welsh Government, Rural Payments Wales (RPW): coronavirus (COVID-19)
- National Farmers Union Cymru, Coronavirus news and updates
- TB Hub, Statutory TB testing of cattle in GB during the COVID-19 outbreak
- LANTRA, Skills matching service
- Welsh Government, Coronavirus: support for fishing businesses
- Seafish, Covid-19 support for the seafood industry
- The Marine Management Organisation, A guide to current financial and welfare support for the fishing industry
- Welsh Fisherman’s Association, news feed updates on COVID-19
- Welsh Government, Forestry businesses: coronavirus guidance
- The Forest Industry Safety Accord, Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) in forestry
Food and retail
- Welsh Government, Retailers: coronavirus guidance
- Welsh Government, Getting food and essential supplies during the coronavirus pandemic
- UK Government, Guidance for consumers on coronavirus (COVID-19) and food
- British Retail Consortium, Coronavirus Hub
- Aldi, We are here for you. COVID-19 and FAQs
- Asda, Shopping Safely with Asda
- Coop, Supporting your community through change
- Iceland, Coronavirus FAQs
- Lidl, Customer Updates
- M&S, Covid-19 Information
- Morrisons, Morrisons Help Hub
- Sainsbury’s, Working to feed the nation
- Tesco, COVID-19 updates
- Waitrose, Shop safely & simply
Health and social care
You can read our articles on vaccination deployment, vaccination data, statistics for cases and deaths, registered deaths, Test, Trace, Protect, coronavirus and the NHS and mental health.
- Public Health Wales, Latest information on coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Advice on coronavirus from the Technical Advisory Cell
- Welsh Government, Improving health and social care (COVID-19 looking forward)
Testing and contact tracing
- Welsh Government, Testing for Coronavirus. Includes links to all guidance on getting tested, including lateral flow, asymptomatic, care home, antibody and home testing guidance.
- Welsh Government, Test, Trace, Protect
- Welsh Government, NHS COVID-19 app
- Welsh Government, Contact tracing
- Welsh Government, COVID-19 testing strategy
- Welsh Government, Testing data for coronavirus (weekly updates)
Vaccine
- Welsh Government, Getting your COVID-19 vaccine
- Welsh Government, COVID-19 vaccination strategy and updates
- Welsh Government, COVID-19 vaccination equity strategy
- Welsh Government, COVID-19 vaccination programme: weekly updates
- Welsh Government, COVID-19 vaccine priority groups
- Public Health Wales, Coronavirus Vaccination Data
Accessing services
- Welsh Government, Check your symptoms to see if you need coronavirus medical help
- Welsh Government, Guidance for unpaid carers: coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Carers UK, Coronavirus guidance for carers
- Welsh Government, Simple steps to help your GP practice help you
- Welsh Government, Getting medicines during the coronavirus pandemic
- Welsh Government, Rehabilitation needs of people affected by the impact of COVID-19: guidance
- Mind, Coronavirus and your wellbeing, (including information for young people and for people working from home)
- Welsh Government, Advice for the bereaved: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Social care
- Welsh Government, Care homes and social services: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Adult social services during the COVID-19 pandemic: guidance
- Welsh Government, Children’s social services during the COVID-19 pandemic: guidance
- Welsh Government, Coronavirus control plan: guidance about alert levels for social care services
- Welsh Government, Hospital discharge service requirements: COVID-19
- Public Health Wales, Information for health and social care
Health and care workers
- Welsh Government, Health and social care professionals: coronavirus. Includes links to guidance for providers of dental, eye and mental health services, and clinical guidance for health professionals.
- Welsh Government, COVID-19 workforce risk assessment tool
- Public Health Wales, Information for health and social care
- Welsh Government, NHS and social care financial recognition scheme: guidance for social care workers
Housing
- Welsh Government, Housing: Coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Renting a home: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Guidance for landlords and managing agents in the private rented sector coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Welsh Government, Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance for local authorities on enforcing standards in rented properties
- Welsh Government, Homeowners: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Local authorities, housing services and social landlords: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Homelessness: coronavirus
- Shelter Cymru, coronavirus advice page
Immigration and asylum
You can read out article on the impact of coronavirus on the EU settlement scheme.
- UK Government, Coronavirus (COVID-19): immigration and borders
- UK Government, Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
- Refugee Council, Changes to Asylum & Resettlement policy and practice in response to Covid-19
- UK Government, Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)
- Welsh Government, EU citizens – we want you to stay in Wales
Local government
- WLGA, Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for councils
- Society for Local Council Clerks (SLCC), Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Planning and Construction
- Welsh Government, Construction and outdoor work: coronavirus workplace guidance
- Welsh Government, Building and planning: coronavirus
- Construction Leadership Council, latest content from the CLC including our Covid-19 materials
Scams and consumer rights
- Ofcom, Advice for consumers: coronavirus scam calls and texts
- UK Government, Coronavirus (COVID-19): fraud and cyber crime
- Which, Coronavirus advice from Which?
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Support for consumers
- com, Coronavirus finance and bills help
- Association of British Insurers, ABI Coronavirus information hub
Transport and travel
- Welsh Government, Travel: coronavirus
- Welsh Government, Travel and transport: advice
- UK Government, Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
- Traveline Cymru, Coronavirus – transport service updates
- National Rail Enquiries: Coronavirus Travel Advice
- Transport for Wales, Travelling with us
- Avanti West Coast, Coronavirus travel information
- Crosscountry trains, Keeping you safe – latest travel Advice
- GWR, Travel with confidence
- Sustrans, Cycles for key workers
- Rail to Refuge - a scheme run by Women’s Aid, GWR and Southeastern for women fleeing domestic abuse to apply for free train travel to refuge accommodation.
- UK Government, Getting an MOT
- UK Government, Coronavirus (COVID-19): driving tests
- UK Government, Coronavirus (COVID-19): driving theory tests
Overseas travel
- Welsh Government, Rules for foreign travel to and from Wales: coronavirus (COVID-19)
- UK Government, Travel abroad and coronavirus (COVID-19)
- UK Government, Entering the UK
- UK Government, Financial assistance abroad
- UK Government, Coronavirus: Waiting to return to the UK during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- UK Government, Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer air travel for passengers
- Civil Aviation Authority, COVID-19: Information for passengers, holidaymakers and the industry
- Cardiff Airport, Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 - latest advice
- StenaLine, Coronavirus information
- Irish Ferries, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Utilities
- Ofgem, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your energy supply
- Welsh Water, Covid 19 - What is the impact on Welsh Water services and our customers?
- Hafren Dyfrdwy, Coronavirus response
- Wales and West Utilities, Covid-19 Update
- British Gas, Latest Covid-19 Updates and FAQ
- Virgin Media, Covid-19 updates
- EDF Energy, Coronavirus (Covid-19) help and advice
- Npower, Coronavirus (Covid-19)
- Eon Energy, Coronavirus help and support
- Western Power Distribution, Coronavirus update
- BT, Helping you stay connected
- Royal Mail, Coronavirus updates
- Ofcom, Stay connected during the coronavirus
Voluntary sector
- Welsh Government, Volunteering (third sector): coronavirus
- WCVA, COVID-19 updates and guidance
- Charity Commission, Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the charity sector
- UK Government, Guidance for businesses seeking to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
- Third Sector Support Wales, Funding Wales
- Charities Aid Foundation, Coronavirus Emergency Fund
- Community Foundation Wales, We are here to support you
- National Lottery Community Fund, Funding during COVID-19
- Grants Online, Coronavirus
- Volunteering Wales, COVID-19 opportunities
Vulnerable groups
You can read summaries of coronavirus and domestic abuse, poverty, digital inclusion, emerging equality issues, gender inequality, and the human rights implications of the coronavirus pandemic in our articles.
- Welsh Government, Protect yourself and others from Coronavirus. Links to information about social distancing, self-isolating and shielding.
- Welsh Government, Shielding extremely vulnerable people
- Welsh Government, Guidance on protecting people defined on medical grounds as clinically extremely vulnerable from coronavirus (COVID-19) – previously known as ‘shielding’
- Welsh Government, Help for the vulnerable from local authorities and voluntary groups
- Welsh Government, Reporting suspected abuse, harm or neglect (safeguarding)
- The Trussell Trust, Coronavirus and food banks
- Wales Council of the Blind, Coronavirus information and advice
- RNIB, Coronavirus and accessible online information
- Welsh Government, Safeguarding, violence against women and domestic abuse: coronavirus
- Older People’s Commissioner, Coronavirus Information Hub
- Learning Disability Wales, Coronavirus: resources for people with a learning disability and their supporters
- Welsh Government, Five ways to help children and young people stay safe during the coronavirus lockdown
- Welsh Government, Equality impact assessments: coronavirus
Article by Lorna Scurlock, Lucy Morgan, Lucy Valsamidis and Hannah Johnson, Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament
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