Responding to the Welsh Government’s announcement on what the new Wales-wide restrictions will be after the end of the national lockdown on the 9th November, Paul Davies MS, the Leader of the Opposition in the Welsh Parliament has welcomed some of the changes but is urging the Welsh Government to give urgent clarity on what the support for businesses will be.
Paul Davies has welcomed the acceptance that household mixing is the main driver of the virus in Wales and the measures being taken.
However, as well as not mentioning what support businesses will receive, the Welsh Government also made no mention of several important issues, including:
- When the self-isolation grants to those on low incomes will begin?
- How the Welsh Government will improve the Test, Track and Protect system which is manged within Wales?
- If routine NHS activity can resume?
- And what actions those previously on shielding list should take.
Commenting Paul Davies MS said:
Late last week the Welsh Government closed applications for Business Development Grants after being open for just 24 hours and being oversubscribed. The Welsh Government needs to explain urgently to businesses what support they will be able to access for the remainder of the Wales-wide lockdown and under the new national restrictions.
“It is also disappointing that five weeks after announcing the self-isolation grants for people on low incomes, and re-announcing them last week, the First Minister has still not released any details on how people will be able to access these vital grants.
“The Welsh Government needs to be bolder in getting core NHS activities back up and running to avoid other public health crises in devastating illnesses including cancer and heart disease. I have previously called for green hospitals in Wales, which do not accept Covid-19 patients, to keep other patients safe.
“Finally, the Welsh Government needs to give more detail on what support it is giving to local councils and health boards to boost the Test, Track and Protect programmes, especially in containing the rising measures in some parts of Wales which are far above others. This information, which is essential to giving confidence to the system in Wales should have been included in the announcement.