WREXHAM Council is urging people to keep social distancing to avoid a second wave of the coronavirus.

The council says while life going back to something resembling normality is a good thing, it also warns that it's "very dangerous".

The authority is urging people to protect loved ones by continuing social distancing this autumn.

Councillor Mark Pritchard, Wrexham Council leader, said: "If we don’t all do our bit, we could go backwards very quickly and find ourselves dealing with a second wave.

“If it got bad enough, we could lose some of our freedoms again and the local lockdown in Caerphilly illustrates this.

“But more importantly, more people could lose their lives.

“So don’t make this the autumn of regret. Stick to social distancing, and help keep Wrexham safe.

“The decisions you make will count.”

The council say there’s a concern that some people don’t feel worried about Covid-19 anymore, and they’ve forgotten how serious the pandemic is.

Wrexham Council’s chief executive, Ian Bancroft, said: “It’s possible that some people are getting bored or frustrated with all the rules, and they feel like they’re healthy enough to cope if they catch it.

“But nobody is invincible, and they could pass on the disease to other people, including friends, parents and grandparents.

“So please don’t take unnecessary risks. Help keep the people you love safe. Help keep everyone safe.”

In some situations – even with safety measures in place – it’s difficult to social distance, but the council is urging people to not add to that risk unnecessarily.

Cllr Pritchard added: “Keep your chances of catching or transmitting the virus as low as possible. Keep apart whenever you can.

“That friendly arm around the shoulder or pat on the back with friends or colleagues? Don’t do it. It might seem harmless, but it could help spread the disease…and someone, somewhere, could pay the price.”

“The vast majority of people continue to take social distancing seriously, and I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who is doing their bit.

“Autumn is going to be a critical period for Wrexham, Wales and the UK, and by continuing to follow the rules – and sticking to social distancing – you can make a difference.

“Every one of us can have a say in how this story ends.”

Earlier this week, Welsh Government Health Minister Vaughan Gething shared an example of how easily the virus can spread.

He said: “A group of friends returned from a short holiday in Ibiza last month – three of them came home with coronavirus.

“When they came home, one of the group passed the virus on to their partner and his father.

“Another person in the group had a party the day after coming home and four people caught coronavirus.

“One of these then passed the virus on to their brother who then passed it to a friend by sharing a car.

“Another party guest passed it on to their sister, who in turn infected a friend on a night out.

“Within just a few days of the friends’ return home, 13 people had coronavirus.”