The leaders of the Interfaith Council for Wales have issued a joint plea asking Wales' faith communities to ensure that their buildings are not used for acts of public worship or public gatherings until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak.
 
The Interfaith Council, which includes in its membership most of Wales' faith communities, has issued the plea in line with Government guidance and the advice offered by Public Health Wales. 

It also underlines the guidance and instructions already issued by most faith community leaders in Wales. Guidance has been offered concerning worshipping at home or through other appropriate means. 

In these challenging times, the Interfaith Council for Wales urges faith communities to nurture and protect each other by following the advice offered by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales in their efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.  

The leaders of the Interfaith Council for Wales said: "As people of faith we should not place each other's health at risk by meeting contrary to known advice. Nor should we pose a risk to those in the wider community who may come into contact with us. We should play our part, without being compelled to do so, in ensuring the wellbeing of others and our communities." 

The request comes as seven more people have died in Wales after contracting Covid-19, the chief medical announced on Sunday.
All were in the high-risk category, either over-70 or with underlying health conditions, Dr Frank Atherton said.