VALE council leader, Neil Moore has responded to the new coronavirus lockdown measures, announced by Welsh Government, first minister, Mark Drakeford.

Mr Drakeford announced that garden centres could re-open from Monday (May 11) and plans could be made for the re-opening of libraries and recycling centres.

He also said outdoor exercise, locally, would be permitted more than once a day, but the Stay Home message remained the same.

Cllr Neil Moore said: "The first minister outlined a sensibly cautious approach for the next phase of the response to the covid-19 pandemic here in Wales on Friday (May 8) and this is one that we welcome in the Vale of Glamorgan.

"While we all want to return to a degree of normality as quickly as possible, many people are understandably anxious about what could happen if restrictions are relaxed or lifted too soon.

"Politicians at all levels have a duty to protect the public and those that deliver our public services.

"This is something that, as leader of the council, I take incredibly seriously.

"Across Wales we will all now work to implement the minor adjustments announced on Friday, but as the first minister has outlined, we will take maximum caution while doing so.

"Consideration is already being given to how we could begin to reopen and reinstate some services that we have suspended in a safe way.

"This planning will continue but there will be no immediate changes to any of the measures currently in place."

He added: "We are working with all councils across Wales to try and ensure that wherever possible when services, such as household waste recycling centres, are reopened they are reopened at the same time across Wales in a well-planned manner, so as to avoid confusion.

"It will, however, only be done when we are confident that services can be operated in line with government guidance in a way that ensures the safety of the public and staff alike.

"The same approach will be taken with schools following the minister’s announcement last week confirming schools will not reopen on June, 1.

"I anticipate being able to provide further detail in the coming weeks.

"I would like to once again thank all residents of the Vale of Glamorgan for their patience with the current changes to our services and the fantastic support they have shown to the excellent work being done by all our key workers in our communities and take this opportunity to reiterate the message in Wales – Stay At Home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives.