Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister, and it is good to see you back here with us and to hear your family are safe and well. Again, I also send on behalf of my party and myself condolences to all those who've lost loved ones through this disease.
Caroline Jones: I'd like to thank our wonderful NHS staff and all those concerned who are working around the clock and helping to limit the spread of this dreadful disease. We as individuals must do all that we can, because we all have a part to play in this. Minister, you have the continuing support of myself and my party during this difficult time, and I have just a few questions I'd like to ask. I have...
Caroline Jones: These powers are truly draconian, and, yes, they send shivers down the spine. The powers being granted to Government Ministers across all four nations impact upon the civil liberties of us all, and most people could not be anything other than concerned. And in normal circumstances, I would not even countenance such a transfer of powers. Unfortunately, these are not normal times, because, in a...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, First Minister, and my condolences also to all those who've lost loved ones to this terrible disease. The news also that a 13-year-old boy with no apparent underlying health issues has become the youngest victim of this disease drives home the very seriousness of this pandemic. We see, on a daily basis, how quickly the situation changes, and, indeed, since your...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister. There has been much criticism about the lack of testing in Wales, and comparisons are being made with other countries. I won't rehash the arguments about the failed deal to secure additional testing for Wales, but what assurances have you received from the UK Government, and the other home nations, that we are not competing for the same limited supply?...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, First Minister. I would like to send my condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, my best wishes also to the Prime Minister, our colleague Alun Davies, and, indeed, all those battling this disease at this moment; and my thanks to all who are involved in the fight against the disease: health workers and social care...
Caroline Jones: It's regrettable that the Welsh Government have chosen to push ahead with this legislation, and I feel it's extremely ill-judged to be diverting resources at this moment in time when we could postpone this until our country is better placed following the coronavirus pandemic. Because at this moment in time, pushing ahead with legislation is also hugely unpopular with the public. I have made...
Caroline Jones: Against.
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister, and for your department's continuing efforts to help combat this disease—a disease that has killed nearly 200,000 people worldwide. Every one of those is someone's loved one, and my heart goes out to all those who have suffered loss at the hands of this invisible killer. Without the efforts of our NHS and social care heroes and volunteers, many, many...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister. Yesterday, we observed a minute's silence for our heroes in social and health care who lost their lives to the scourge of COVID-19, and I want to once again put on record my thanks to our dedicated health and social care workforce, who are keeping us all safe, and offer condolences to those who have lost loved ones. We still do not know enough about...
Caroline Jones: [Inaudible.]—statement, Minister. I would like to thank the thousands of local government employees who have continued to provide vital services during this lockdown. It's been a massive challenge and our local authorities have risen to it, but there are areas where more needs to be done. We have seen massive rises in fly-tipping; what can local authorities do to ensure that waste...
Caroline Jones: Minister, on Monday night, many of us watched the heroic actions of the ICU staff at the Royal Gwent Hospital as they battled to save the lives of those infected with COVID-19. It was both truly heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. It brought home the sheer horror of the disease and it highlighted the fantastic levels of care and compassion of all the staff working in our critical...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister. Despite your assertion, what we saw this week was not a significant easing of lockdown. In reality, it is a minor change, because for the vast majority of people living in Wales, family will live more than 5 miles away. When announcing the changes, the First Minister said the decision to impose a general principle of not travelling more than 5 miles was...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister, and I welcome the plans to end homelessness. But, Minister, can you confirm that the plans will apply to everyone who is homeless during this pandemic, and not just those who are in emergency accommodation? I have been speaking to veterans' groups in recent weeks who are concerned that many homeless veterans are falling through the cracks because they...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister, and for the work you're continuing to do, and may we all pray for peace across the world. My region's economy, like many parts of Wales, is heavily dependent on the tourism sector, a sector that has been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic. The majority of operators in my region are microbusinesses, and the loss of earnings has been catastrophic....
Caroline Jones: My group will not be supporting the motion to annul brought forward by Suzy Davies today. Whilst all of us hold democracy close to our hearts and will do all that we can to uphold democratic principles, we have to consider the wider context. Millions of people globally have been infected with a virus that has cost many lives and is spread by face-to-face contact. Our country is in lockdown....
Caroline Jones: With the news of Oscar's passing yesterday, my love is with his wife, Firdaus; Natasha, his daughter; all his extended family and friends; his friends in the Conservative group and all other friends. I met Oscar and Natasha in 2011, and we saw each other on several occasions prior to my election in 2016. Oscar immediately congratulated me, warmly welcomed me to the Senedd, reaching out the...
Caroline Jones: Diolch, Llywydd.
Caroline Jones: 1. How is the Welsh Government supporting the dental profession in Wales during the coronavirus pandemic? OQ55332
Caroline Jones: Thank you, First Minister. The dental profession, like all sectors of the Welsh economy, is suffering deeply as a result of lockdown. While the move out of the red alert level will bring some small relief, it will not be enough to support many practices, and we cannot afford to lose a single dental practice in Wales. I've been contacted by many practices, often sole proprietors, who are...
