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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 11:14 am on 24 March 2020.

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Photo of Neil McEvoy Neil McEvoy Independent 11:14, 24 March 2020

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you for your statement, First Minister, and I hope that all your family and loved ones are well. The World Health Organization has been very clear, and they say that what we need to do is test, test, test. They say that we need to test every suspected case of coronavirus because they tell us that failing to test is like trying to fight a fire blindfolded.

Now, I've been sat in isolation for two weeks and, ultimately, I was able to get a test from a private company and it showed that I don't have coronavirus. My dad has just had heart surgery, so my mother was extremely relieved to hear that, with the worry that I might have passed something on. Now, many families are in this situation. So, I think tests should be readily available for every suspected case, particularly of key workers, and particularly of key workers whose family are showing symptoms and, as a result, NHS workers right now are in isolation because their family members cannot be tested. If we're able to test, then we can get the economy moving, keep the front-line services going and protect people in the NHS, who are very, very brave people, putting themselves on the line, doing a heroic job for every one of us here.

The World Health Organization say that testing is a fundamental part of fighting the pandemic because we need to know where the virus is if we're going to fight it. The testing kits can be readily available, but they're still very difficult to come across. It doesn't have to be like that. So, what action will you take to ensure that all suspected cases of coronavirus are tested? Because this is what the World Health Organization is calling for. So, my first part of the contribution is: will you listen to the World Health Organization and follow advice and take action to make sure every suspected case is tested?

Secondly, I want to raise the matter of people stuck abroad. I've received messages from people, while sat here, in Australia. There are constituents in the Gambia, there are constituents still in Peru, and there seems to be inertia on the part of the UK Government. So, what will the Welsh Government do? Will the Welsh Government step up to the plate and support our people who are stuck abroad? Some people are lacking medication as well. They'll need medication very shortly, because they didn't plan to stay so long. So, in terms of those stuck abroad, what will the Welsh Government do in the circumstances? Diolch yn fawr.