6. & 7. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 and The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2020

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:49 pm on 17 June 2020.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 1:49, 17 June 2020

(Translated)

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.