THE Welsh Government has already taken steps to help deal with a coronavirus emergency according to Economy Minister Ken Skates

Mr Skates speaking at a construction site in Rhos-on-Sea said: “I am pleased to say that meetings across the Welsh Government are taking place. We have been in contact with the UK Government through the Cobra system. Cobra calls are taking place on a very regular basis.”

The Cobra system coordinates the actions of bodies within the UK Government in response to national or regional crises.

Mr Skates added: “Health boards are alert to the problem. But so too are other areas of Government activity, and my officials within the economy unit are looking at the impact that coronavirus is having on businesses in terms of having being able to get the goods and services they need.

“Right across Government we are looking at the threat coronavirus poses, and we are obviously working with UK Government agencies and with international agencies as events unfold.

“We simply don’t know how big the crisis could become. At the moment we are seeing spikes in some areas, but we are also seeing numbers rise dramatically and continuing to rise.”

He added: “The World Health Organisation has stated the total number of people who will be affected by this is unknown, but it could be a major, major problem, internationally.

“I think in order to avoid panic it is important people educate themselves as to what the symptoms might be and if it is suspected they may have been infected they take the appropriate action and information is available on the Public Health Wales website. It is also available through other agencies.

“It is really important people educate themselves over what coronavirus is and what symptoms are and what to do if they suspect they have it.”