Part of 6. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 2:59 pm on 15 July 2020.
First, may I say that it's a shame that it's only by the decision of the Llywydd to extend the time for a topical question that we're having time to discuss this strategy now? Because a statement should have been timetabled for this, because test and trace is so central to the fight against coronavirus, and the strategy over the next few months is so central to our success. It is still a failure in not using the capacity available. I accept entirely that we shouldn't be making ad hoc decisions on testing—we have to be strategic and we do have to test for a purpose, but, first, I do think that planning to reduce testing of care home staff, from the current weekly regime to a fortnightly regime from August, is an unnecessary and risky step at the moment, given the capacity available.
And (2) I am disappointed that there is no reference to the need for asymptomatic testing of care workers going into people's homes. I have called for the extension of asymptomatic testing, certainly for those health and care workers who are at greatest risk, both for themselves and the people who they are in contact with, and surely, those people who go into the homes of others to provide care—many people within one day—have to come into that category. Yes, the number of cases has reduced and we take pride in that, but let's keep it that way and look out for the most vulnerable people. So, can we have a commitment on testing for those going into people's homes to provide care?