Therefore, I call on the First Minister to introduce the regulations.

Motion NDM7332 Rebecca Evans

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 21 May 2020.
 

Motion NDM7333 Rebecca Evans

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 1 June 2020.

Motions moved.

Diolch, Llywydd. I formally and briefly move the regulations and ask Members to support them. The regulations are further amendments to the coronavirus restrictions' stipulations. They return freedoms to people where the state of the virus has allowed us to do so. They increase penalties on those who repeatedly fail to observe the rules that so many have worked so hard to observe. Llywydd, the system we have quite rightly makes it clear that whenever a restriction is unnecessary to protect public health, it must be removed. The amendment No. 5 regulations make good on that commitment. As we have made progress in reducing the prevalence of coronavirus in the community, so those No. 5 regulations allow people much greater freedom within their local area. They also crucially allow people to gather outdoors with members of one other household, although, of course, with social distancing remaining. These are loosenings of the coronavirus restrictions and they have been made possible because of the reduction in the circulation of the virus in the community.

Llywydd, throughout the lockdown we have seen a high level of compliance with our regulations, and there are thanks due to people throughout Wales for that. By sticking to the rules, we have helped to control the spread of the virus. However, evidence from four police forces show a small minority of people repeatedly breaking the restrictions, and the changes made by the No. 4 regulations before Members this afternoon have allowed our police forces to respond more vigorously to that challenge. I ask Members to support both sets of amendments.

Thank you very much, Llywydd. I have just some comments on the regulations. I would like to start by sending my sincere condolences to Mohammad Asghar's family in their loss.

There is little change to the regulations. In terms of the penalties and fines, well, there's been little need to threaten people with financial fines to date because most people have been very happy to adhere to the rules, because that's what's beneficial to their health and the health of their communities, but others have decided to blatantly act contrary to the regulations, and I support the increase in fines, having felt that the fine should have been increased earlier, as the First Minister will know. We will be supporting these regulations today.

In terms on the relaxation of the restrictions, I will say this as an appeal to Government as they consider the next steps in their three weekly review tomorrow and with the announcement to come on Friday: prove that you are trying to move as quickly as possible to relax the restrictions within what is safe. I'm not asking for any compromise in terms of public health; health comes first and we must follow the science, of course. We must also ensure that the test-and-trace processes are robust, but do challenge and test your own evidence as publicly as you can. Push the boundaries of what can be done safely in terms of people's health, people's ability to be with loved ones and in terms of the need to restart economic activity, and show a clear pathway forward. Give us a clearer map so that individuals, families and businesses can plan more effectively for the next stages. 

I have no further speakers. First Minister—if he wishes to respond to the contribution.

I just thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for the indication of Plaid Cymru's support for today's regulations. I hope and expect we will be able to announce further easing of the restrictions following the further review we are concluding tomorrow, and we will, of course, report on the outcome of that review to the Senedd.

Diolch, Prif Weinidog. The proposal is to agree the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020. Does any Member object? Yes, I see an objection and I will defer voting on those regulations until voting time.

Voting deferred until voting time.

The proposal that follows is to agree the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2020. Does any Member object? Yes, I see an objection and therefore these regulations will be put to a vote at voting time.

Voting deferred until voting time.