Key public services will close on Friday as part of the Welsh Government’s Coronavirus ‘Firebreak’ announcement, Powys County Council has confirmed.

Services including the county council’s household waste recycling centres, libraries, museums, community and leisure centres will all close at 6pm on Friday October 23 and remain closed until Monday November 9.

People are being asked to work from home and only leave for reasonable excuses such as exercise or medical appointments.

The county’s school are already closed as part of a two-week half term break and were not due to re-open until Monday November 2. Primary and special schools will reopen as normal with secondary school years seven, eight and vulnerable children returning. Pupils will be able to attend schools for exams, but pupils in Years 9 and above will have to continue their learning from home for a week.

Powys schools are already on half term and are not due to open until Monday 2nd November. Primary and special schools will reopen as normal with secondary school years seven, eight and vulnerable children returning at the same time.

Pupils will be able to attend schools for exams, but pupils in Years 9 and above will continue their learning from home for a week.

Household waste centres will close at 6pm on Friday. Residents are warned that it is likely to be very busy with increased queues and only in attend if essential. The kerbside waste and recycling collection service will continue as normal.

With libraries closure there will be no Order and Collect library book collections or deliveries, no use of the computers nor browsing sessions in libraries for the firebreak period.

All library books out on loan will be automatically renewed, and no fines will apply, readers are asked to keep their books at home until libraries re-open.

Financial support is being provided to business affected by the action, the council is waiting final guidance from Welsh Government about the details of the schemes that will be put in place. Where possible payments will be made automatically. Powys businesses are asked not to contact the county council at this stage but to give us time to work up the arrangements. Information will be publicised as soon as it is available.

The firebreak announced by First Minister Mark Drakeford is designed to be short but sharp to have a maximum impact on the virus.

• People must stay at home, except for very limited purposes, such as for exercise.

• People must work from home wherever possible.

• People must not visit other households or meet other people they do not live with either indoors or outdoors

• No gatherings will be allowed outdoors, such as Halloween or fireworks/Bonfire night or other organised activities

• All non-food retail, hospitality businesses, including cafes, restaurants and pubs (unless they provide take-away or delivery services), close contact services, such as hairdressers and beauticians, and events and tourism businesses, such as hotels must close

• Community centres, libraries and recycling centres will be required to close

• Face coverings must be worn in indoor public spaces, which remain open, including on public transport and in taxis.

During this time:

• Adults living alone or single parents will be able to join with one other household for support

• Primary and special schools will re-open as normal after half-term

• Secondary schools will re-open after the half-term for children in years seven and eight and most vulnerable children. Pupils will be able to come in to take exams, but other pupils will continue their learning from home for an extra week.

• Universities will provide a blend of in-person and online learning

• Childcare settings will stay open as normal

• NHS and health services will continue to operate

• Local parks, playgrounds and outdoor gyms will remain open.

Welsh Government frequently asked questions

https://gov.wales/coronavirus-regulations-guidance#section-53273