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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:44 pm on 5 August 2020.

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Photo of Paul Davies Paul Davies Conservative 1:44, 5 August 2020

First Minister, as you referred in your statement, in recent weeks we've seen the gradual reopening of businesses and facilities, which means that people are interacting more and more, whether it's at work or in the community. However, many people have been in touch with me, confused about being allowed to eat at a restaurant indoors with people from outside their household or extended household. Now, as you know, the UK Government scheme Eat Out to Help Out is there to encourage people to support the hospitality industry, and many people are keen to support their local restaurants, cafes and pubs. However, given that there have been no changes to the policy on social bubbles, I'm sure you can appreciate that meeting more people outside your household, or extended household, in hospitality settings will then cause that confusion. Can you therefore tell us what the Welsh Government's current position is on support bubbles and when the Welsh Government is intending to allow any specific changes to that policy, given that you say in your statement that you will look at it later in the cycle? And can you tell us how confident the Welsh Government is about any further relaxation of social distancing regulations between people, now that restrictions have been relaxed to allow people to return to work and interact further in the community?