THE council is working with local food suppliers to provide essential food packages to residents in Carmarthenshire who are shielding and have no other means of support.
It means the parcels, which are delivered weekly, will contain some local produce as well as other basic food and household items.
The council has taken over the supply and delivery of the food packages from Welsh Government and is working with Cross Hands-based Castell Howell and other local suppliers to put the packs together.
Everyone receiving the package will get the same supplies, although the aim is to vary the contents as much as possible each week.
Residents are urged to please check the contents very carefully if they have any allergies, medical, religious, or other dietary needs.
Council Leader Emlyn Dole said: “I am delighted that the council has been able to take over the management of the food packages for extremely vulnerable residents in Carmarthenshire who are shielding.
“It means we are able to work with local suppliers and source local produce for the packages which is very important as it supports our local economy, as well as providing fresh, local food for our residents.”
There are approximately 130,000 people in Wales who are being advised to follow ‘shielding’ measures because they have an underlying health condition which makes them at risk of serious illness if they contract COVID-19.
From Monday, June 1, people who are shielding are now being advised that they can take exercise outdoors and meet people from another household as long as it is outdoors, but they must strictly follow social distancing rules and keep good hygiene at all times. They should not go into another person’s house or share food with them.
They should continue to follow all the other advice previously given; they should not go shopping or attend work outside of home and should continue to have food and medicine delivered.
The Chief Medical Officer for Wales is continuing to develop his advice after June 15 for people who are shielding, and letters will be sent out in the coming fortnight setting out the next steps.
For further advice and support on shielding, please visit the council website newsroom.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/coronavirus. If you need to contact us please email direct@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567.
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