ROUTINE stays and visits from blind veterans at a training and rehabilitation centre in Llandudno are being suspended to 'reduce the risk of the coronavirus spreading'.

The preventative measure at the sight loss charity's Blind Veteran centre will be in force for a month.

A decision has also been made to suspend all large-group community activities and events involving blind veterans for the next four weeks.

This will be reviewed on a rolling weekly basis.

Kathy Boardman, Blind Veterans UK Llandudno centre manager, said: “Due to the increase in confirmed cases in the UK over recent days and advice that elderly people or people with pre-existing health conditions should avoid crowds, we will be temporarily changing the way we maintain our services to the blind veterans we support.

“These are preventative measures, aimed to ensure the safety of blind veterans we support. To date no one within Blind Veterans UK has been diagnosed with Covid-19.

“The average age of the blind veterans we support is 87 and these steps are designed to best protect this at risk group.

“Our staff and volunteers will continue with scheduled visits to blind veterans in their homes as this is considered a low risk activity for blind veterans and staff and crucial for helping to avoid the social isolation that many of them experience."

Kathy added: “Veterans will be contacted before any visit to ensure they do not have symptoms and staff and volunteers have been provided with all the necessary information on being especially diligent about handwashing between visits."

“These policies will be regularly reviewed to allow us to best protect the blind veterans we support whilst continuing to provide the training, equipment and emotional support that is so important."