Snow shuts four Covid vaccine centres in Wales as parts of England face weather warnings

London under yellow warning amid heavy snowfall

Chantal da Silva
Sunday 24 January 2021 10:43 EST
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A woman looks out over the River Ouse in York as it floods following rain and melting snow on January 21, 2021 in York, England.
A woman looks out over the River Ouse in York as it floods following rain and melting snow on January 21, 2021 in York, England. (Getty Images)

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Snowfall across Wales has prompted one university health board to close four of its coronavirus vaccination centres on Sunday, as parts of the UK continue to face weather warnings.

The Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board in south Wales announced on Saturday it had taken the “difficult decision” to close the centres due to adverse weather warnings as snow fell across the area.

The centres in Bridgend, the Rhondda, Abercynon and Merthyr Tydfil are expected to be shut all day, as Wales races to meet its target of vaccinating at least 70 per cent of residents aged 80 and over by the end of the weekend.

"We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause. However, the safety of our most vulnerable vaccination group is of priority," the health board said.

It is unclear whether the centres will reopen Monday. 

Meanwhile, weather warnings have been issued in the UK, as parts of England and Scotland woke up to snow and ice on Sunday.

By mid-morning, flakes were falling thick and fast in London and elsewhere, with meteorologists warning drivers to take care on icy roads. 

The Met Office put a yellow weather warning in place stretching from coast to coast in southern England and ending just below Manchester.

The public were warned to expect some icy patches on untreated roads and pavements, with journeys by road and rail likely to be affected.

A similar warning is in place in the west and north of Scotland and most of Northern Ireland.

The showers of sleet and snow are expected to die out, with a heavy frost due to set in across most parts of the country on Sunday evening.

The wintry showers will continue in the north and western parts of the UK.

Meanwhile, at least 55 flood warnings and 79 flood alerts are in effect for parts of England.

Bewdley in Worcestershire saw severe flooding over the weekend, damaging areas that were hit by floods last February. 

Elsewhere, Didsbury in Manchester saw heavy flooding earlier this week. 

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