THE PENARTH Town Council has announced that it will be closing Penarth Cemetery until further notice following government measures which mean that people are not allowed to leave their homes unnecessarily.

A spokesman for the council said: "Following latest advice from the government, Penarth Town Council has been guided to close Penarth Cemetery until further notice.

"Unfortunately, this means that it is not open for visitors at the present time.

"We regret that we have to close the grounds temporarily but hope that residents support the commitment to ensuring the resilience of our community.

"We thank the public for their understanding and will issue updates as the situation changes."

In a televised address to the nation yesterday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to 'stay home to save lives', and announced a series of drastic measures to curtail public life and tackle the spread of the Coronavirus.

Under the new measures, people are not allowed to leave their homes except to buy essential supplies or to do one form of exercise each day.

They can go out for medical needs and should avoid travelling to work unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.

Shops selling non-essential goods will also be shut such as clothing and electrical.

There will be no gatherings in public of more than two people who do not live together.

Police will have enforcement powers if people don’t conform with the rules.

These powers include dispersing gatherings and issuing fines.

Outdoor gyms, libraries, playgrounds and places of worship will close immediately.

Social events such as weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies will stop, but funerals go ahead.

Yesterday, the Vale of Glamorgan Council announced the closure of all public spaces.