Timeline of key events as North Wales went into lockdown over six months ago

We have looked back to March 23 when the UK Prime Minister announced that the country would enter a full lockdown to limit the spread of the virus.

We take you through to the present day where Welsh Government has recently announced it will tighten its restrictions as we stand on the edge of autumn and winter months and new cases of the virus are emerging rapidly across the UK.

Here are some of the key dates for Wales since lockdown began:

March 23:

The nation hears from the Prime Minister that lockdown measures are coming into force.

On this day, Wales had a coronavirus death toll that stood at 16 people and reported a grand total of 418 positive cases across the length of the country.

At this point, many shops and businesses that were ‘non-essential’ - as well as hospitality venues, beauty spots and schools had closed their doors to limit the spread of the virus.

Guidance at the time included the ‘Stay Local’ rule – a legal requirement to remain within a five-mile distance of your home address unless there was a permissible reason to go further such as key working.

On this day, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Wales is a beautiful country and attracts millions of visitors every year – but now is not the time for unnecessary journeys. We want people to come to Wales when the threat of coronavirus has passed.”

Ahead of this announcement, support groups had been popping up across towns and villages in North Wales to ensure people got the help needed to survive the beginning of the pandemic – such as medicine, food shopping or just a friendly chat to deal with isolation.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressing the nation about COVID-19. [Photo credit: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire]

March 26:

On this day the Clap for our Carers campaign began, kicking off a weekly national applause for frontline workers.

Also, the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford signed into law new public health regulations strengthening police enforcement powers in Wales.

It stated people should stay at least 2m away from each other at all times, adding that individuals would only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:

• Shopping for basic necessities and supplies, which should be as infrequently as possible

• One form of exercise a day - for example, a run, walk or cycle - alone or with members of their household

• Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person, and

• Travelling to and from work, but only where they cannot reasonably practicably work from home.

April 8:

Ahead of the Easter weekend, Mark Drakeford confirmed that the Welsh Government would be extending the lockdown measures for Wales.

The First Minister said that it would be ‘foolish’ to end the lockdown before it was safe and waste the efforts of the UK public in the past few weeks.

Rainbow hospitals set up in Deeside, Bangor and Llandudno, North Wales

Temporary hospitals that set up to handle added pressure to the NHS in North Wales received their official names as ‘rainbow hospitals’ by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. They are still based in Deeside Leisure Centre, Llandudno’s Venue Cymru and at Bangor University.

The name derived from the fact that people started linking rainbows that were drawn and placed in windows by children as hopeful symbols.

April 12:

The First Minister and NHS Wales appealed to the Welsh public to download a new COVID Symptom Tracker app to help the NHS response to COVID-19 in Wales.

People across Wales were asked to log their daily symptoms to help build a clearer picture of how the virus is affecting people.

Also, the temporary Dragon's Heart Hospital opens at Cardiff's Principality Stadium to admit its first patients.

April 17:

Wrexham Maelor Hospital paid tribute to paid to a ‘much-loved’ theatre assistant who died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Andy Treble sadly passed away on the Critical Care Unit on Wednesday, April 15 after testing positive for COVID-19. The 57-year-old had worked at Wrexham Maelor Hospital for almost 40 years and was ‘well-loved’ by his colleagues.

The health board paid tribute in the days that followed which was met with much sympathy by our readers.

Andy Treble and daughter Emily.

April 23:

The Leader publishes its first ‘Thank You to Key Workers’ feature piece, celebrating the efforts of local community members that continued to work in essential roles during the height of the pandemic.

This has since run for several months and shared lovely messages from the friends and family of more than 200 local people.

May 8:

The First Minister of Wales extends the lockdown restrictions for a further three weeks but with brings in some minor changes, allowing people to exercise outside more than once a day and gives local councils the green light to begin planning for the reopening of libraries and recycling centres. Garden centres were also permitted to reopen.

May 12:

Uncertainty arose after the UK Prime Minster Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Sunday, May 10, speaking about the UK approach and his ‘roadmap’ to bringing the country out of lockdown as some restrictions were eased.

However, not all matters were made clear and caused some confusion for those living in devolved nations such as Wales where these rules did not apply.

Also, on this day, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the furlough scheme, which was supporting 7.5 million jobs in the UK, would be extended until the end of October, but employers will be expected to pick up a share of the bill from August as the economy reopens.

May 29:

Mark Drakeford announces further easing of the lockdown restrictions for Wales soon allowing the members of two households to meet up outdoors. Non-essential retailers were urged to use the next three weeks to prepare for reopening, should conditions allow.

May 31:

Health minister Vaughan Gething announces that, further to the relaxing of rules outlined by the First Minister, that the shielding community of Wales would also benefit from the new rules – under the assumption they maintained social distance.

Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething 

June 3:

Wales’ education minister Kirsty Williams made an announcement that all schools in Wales will reopen from 29 June.

They were to be open for all pupils, but only a third of students will be in school at any one time with the summer term extended by a week.

June 9:

It was announced that the Welsh public will be asked to wear three-layer face covering in situations where social distancing is not possible, such as on public transport.

June 15:

Tributes were paid to Glan Clwyd nurse and dad-of-two Rizal Manalo, known as Zaldy to his friends and colleagues.

The 51-year-old died having been treated at the hospital’s critical care unit over the last few weeks after contracting the coronavirus.

Rizal Manalo - better known as Zaldy

June 18:

An outbreak of coronavirus was linked to a chicken processing plant in Llangefni, Anglesey.

On this day, it was reported that more than 100 cases had been traced to the Two Sisters facility on the island.

June 19:

The UK's chief medical officers – including Wales’ Dr Frank Atherton - agreed to downgrade the coronavirus alert level from four to three after a "steady" and continuing decrease in cases in all four nations.

The Welsh Government also set out its programme for easing lockdown restrictions that included allowing retailers to reopen and lifting restrictions on outdoor sports

June 22:

The Welsh Government lifts its restrictions on wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, allowing them to take place again.

June 23:

A second outbreak is declared in North Wales, this time in Wrexham at the Rowan Foods facility. At this stage, a cluster of 70 cases was identified.

On this day in Anglesey, the Two Sisters site had confirmed that the total number of infections stands at 200.

Rowan Foods [Image: Google Maps]

June 29:

The Welsh Government announces that two households in Wales can form an "extended household" or “support bubble” from July 6.

Schools also reopened to all pupils for three weeks ahead of the summer break.

July 3:

The lifting of the five-mile "stay local" travel restrictions for Wales took place today.

Outdoor attractions were also permitted to reopen their doors and two households permitted to meet up indoors from today.

July 9:

The education minister Kirsty Williams says that all state schools in Wales will reopen in September with limited social distancing for groups of pupils, but adults will have to maintain social distance regulations.

The minister also announced that an extra 900 teaching posts are to be created in Wales to help pupils catch up on their studies.

Education minister Kirsty Williams

July 13:

Pints are poured and meals are served as planned when lockdown restrictions eased across Wales to allow pubs and restaurants to open up the outdoor spaces to customers.

Hairdressers ad barber shops reopen for the first time in four months following the relaxation of social distancing measures in Wales.

Places of worship were able to gradually begin resuming services.

Welsh Government also made changes to the regulations to allow larger gatherings of up to 30 people outdoors.

July 16:

Wales's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Frank Atherton confirms the 130,000 people shielding in Wales will no longer need to do so from August 16

Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised millions of pounds for the NHS doing laps of his garden before reaching 100-years-old, is knighted by the Queen at Windsor Castle.

July 17:

Welsh Government shifts from daily updates to weekly updates.

July 20:

Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and funfairs are allowed to reopen under the latest easing of lockdown measures.

July 25:

Campsites are permitted to reopen in Wales.

July 27:

Face coverings became mandatory on public transport in Wales.

First Minister Mark Drakeford allows driving lessons to resume in Wales.

Beauty salons, tattooists, nail bars, spas, tanning shops, cinemas, museums and beauty salons were added to the list of venues that were allowed to reopen.

July 29:

Mobile testing units are introduced in Hightown and Caia Park, Wrexham.

An outbreak control team is set up to deal with the incident developing at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital which saw a spike in COVID cases admitted.

Mobile testing centres in Hightown and Caia Park. [Images: Public Health Wales]

August 3:

Pubs, restaurants and cafes could reopen for indoor customers from today.

The UK Government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme launches, offering half-price meals to diners during August.

August 4:

Public Health Wales declare that "no evidence of widespread transmission" following testing results in Caia Park and Hightown.

August 10:

Swimming pools, gyms, leisure centres and indoor play areas were allowed to reopen from today.

August 13:

A-level results are released to Welsh students and most were unhappy with the downgrading that swept across the country. As many as 42 per cent of exam results were below predictions.

August 14:

The outbreak declared at Anglesey’s Twi Sister’s plant was ruled to be over. In total, 217 coronavirus cases were found among the 560 staff. The facility also closed for a two-week period for a deep clean.

Two Sisters site in Llangefni. [PICTURE: Google Streetview]

August 16:

Shielding is put on pause for Wales.

August 17:

The Welsh Government announces that A-level and GCSE results in Wales will be based on teachers' assessment.

August 20:

GCSE results are published, with the grades now based on teachers' assessments.

August 21:

First Minister Mark Drakeford announces that small-scale outdoor theatre and sporting events involving audience of up to 100 will be trialled, with three events to initially take place including one at Flintshire’s Theatr Clwyd.

August 27:

Due to the coronavirus preventing the show taking place in its usual Australian setting, ITV revealed today that the 20th series of “I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!” will be filmed in Abergele’s Gwyrch Castle after much speculation.

Mark Baker, Chairperson for Gwyrch Castle Trust.

August 28:

Indoor visits to care homes are permitted.

September 7:

Wales sees its first local lockdown brought into force in Caerephilly.

September 14:

The Welsh Government announces that the wearing of face coverings in shops and other indoor spaces will become compulsory.

September 15:

Huge queues at Deeside testing centre in Flintshire made the headlines after hundreds of people turned up for testing at the same time from across the UK.

September 16:

A second local lockdown is imposed in Wales – now in Rhondda Cynon Taf – which took effect the following day.

Today also marks two weeks since Public Health Wales last reported a coronavirus-related death.

September 18:

The coronavirus outbreak at Wrexham Maelor Hospital was been declared closed, bringing the outbreak in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s East area to an end.

September 21:

Lockdown restrictions are announced for Bridgend, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil and Newport.

September 22:

Anglesey, Conway, Denbighshire and Flintshire are named in a list of areas moved into the ‘amber’ alert zone for Public Health Wales and risk facing a local lockdown if conditions continue to get worse.

Wales join the rest of UK Government’s in tighter lockdown restrictions which see pubs, cafes, restaurants and casinos must operate as table service only and close at 10pm. Off-licences including supermarkets will also be stopped from selling alcohol at the same time.

These rules came into effect on September 24.

September 23:

Six months has passed since lockdown was first imposed on the UK.

September 25:

Lockdown restrictions are announced for Llanelli, Cardiff and Swansea.