7. Statement by the First Minister: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 10:52 am on 24 March 2020.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 10:52, 24 March 2020

Dirprwy Lywydd, can I thank Caroline Jones for that? I thought she made an important point in the beginning about just how quickly our lives have been changed in a very few weeks, and it's not surprising that many of our fellow citizens find themselves confused as a result, and I know that huge numbers of them come to their Members of the Senedd looking for answers. If I could ask Members just one thing, it would be to go to the advice that we have published already to see if the answers are there. If the answers aren't there, then, of course, Members should contact the relevant Minister and ask for further advice, but because we are putting up advice all the time, I think it's quite likely that some of those questions will already have answers and they just need exploring so that people can get the best information. 

Dirprwy Lywydd, I want to say again: most people will experience a very mild episode of this illness. The problem is that while you are asymptomatic you could be passing the virus on to somebody who is much more vulnerable. So, the reason why we are asking people to stay home is not because we think that lots and lots of people will be very seriously ill, but it's because by staying at home you don't pose that risk to others and we can slow the curve of the disease.

There are many examples of organisations across Wales offering help, both with health workers but in the social care sector as well. Can I commend those many members of the hospitality sector who've offered accommodation for key workers, so that they don't have to travel distances home but can stay near their place of work, or who contact the Government to say, 'We're really used to serving food. We know what it's like to look after people. We would be willing to put those skills and capacities at the service of social care providers in this locality, to help them if their staff aren't available'? And we're doing our best to be a broker between those offers and the people we know who need it.

Can I say that Caroline Jones made some very important points about transport? And we're in continued discussion with Transport for Wales about getting the balance right, and I discussed this yesterday with the Mayor of London, where similar issues are faced in relation to tube overcrowding. Tube services are down to half of what they normally would be, and that is having the effect of drawing people close together in the tubes that are running, and we are trying to learn lessons together across the United Kingdom, in constant discussion with Transport for Wales and bus operators, trying to strike the right balance. Bus numbers and train numbers are down in terms of passengers, but, nevertheless, we need sufficient services so that people aren't forced to be in too close proximity with others because they're having to use that reduced level of service.