Thank you, Llywydd, and I formally move the three sets of regulations before us today, and I ask Members to support all three sets of regulations. As with the regulations that preceded them, the three sets of regulations being debated today were introduced under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 through emergency procedures to support our national approach to tackling coronavirus here in Wales.

As the coronavirus pandemic has continued, we have continually reviewed the restrictions that it has been necessary to impose on individuals, businesses and other organisations to manage this truly extraordinary public health crisis. The continual review of the regulations is in addition to the 21-day review cycle that requires Welsh Ministers to review the need for restrictions and requirements every 21 days. Over recent weeks, Members will be aware that we have sought to gradually ease a range of restrictions that apply to Wales as circumstances have allowed. The regulations before the Senedd today continue that process. All of the changes introduced by these regulations are, once again, based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence and public health advice as to what restrictions it is safest to remove or alter whilst guarding against any resurgence in the spread of the virus here in Wales.

The No. 2 regulations revoked and replaced the previous provisions set out in the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 and their subsequent amendments. These regulations came into force on 11 July in relation to the opening of self-contained holiday accommodation, and in full from Monday 13 July this year. Although the regulations revoke the original regulations, they also reinstated, with some easing, requirements for the closure of businesses selling food or drink, holiday accommodation and other businesses to protect against the risk to public health arising from coronavirus. They also delivered the duty on local authorities, national park authorities, Natural Resources Wales and the National Trust to close footpaths or access to land to prevent large numbers of people congregating or being in close proximity to each other and to publish a list of the closures on their websites.

These regulations provided for a significant number of easements in the restrictions previously in force. So, it's through them that we've removed the requirement to close the following categories of businesses: hair salons and barbers, self-contained accommodation and outdoor hospitality. We've allowed for places of worship to restart outdoor services and indoor congregational services in some areas. We've allowed for outdoor cinema to open and allowed for organised outdoor activities, up to a maximum of 30 attendees, subject to organisers meeting COVID-secure requirements. We've amended the 2m requirement to replace it with a requirement to take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus. That includes 2m distancing, limiting face-to-face interaction, maintaining hygiene and providing information on how to minimise the risks of exposure.

The No. 2 amendment regulations came into force on 20 July. They allowed for still further relaxation of coronavirus restrictions by reopening playgrounds and outdoor gyms, funfairs, and clarifying that people can gather at places of worship.

Finally, the second set of amendment regulations came into force on 3 August. These regulations provide for yet greater freedom of association and a return to something closer to what normal life was for many people, by allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people, permitting indoor hospitality in pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants to reopen, and permitting bowling alleys, bingo halls and auction houses to reopen.

The restrictions put in place to protect people's health and control the spread of the virus have been and continue to be unprecedented. The law is clear, however, that those restrictions can only be kept in place for as long as they're necessary and proportionate. The road map the Welsh Government published on 15 May promised a cautious and coherent approach to the easing of restrictions through gradual regulatory change. The regulations on which Members will vote today help to make good that promise, and I ask the Senedd to support them.