Questions Without Notice from the Party Leaders

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:52 pm on 6 October 2020.

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Photo of Adam Price Adam Price Plaid Cymru 1:52, 6 October 2020

I agree with the First Minister that a short-term set of policies is no substitute, really, for a long-term strategy. But the technical advisory cell's report, which has just been published, actually, within the hour, is very sobering reading. The R rate that it quotes now for Wales is between 1.3 and 1.6, and that contrasts with early September when it was said to be between 0.5 and 1. It says the incidence in Wales now is growing—the infection incidence is growing overall. It goes on to say:

'Unless measures bring R back below 1, it is possible that infection incidence and hospital admissions may exceed scenario planning'.

And it's previously said that if the current measures don't bring R below 1, then further restrictions will be needed to control the epidemic in Wales. At what point do you think we are now? Are we going in the right direction or the wrong direction, First Minister? And would you accept as a general point that every Government facing a second wave is having to choose between going early and hard in tightening restrictions, or later and lighter, and probably longer, because those measures would be less effective? There are no risk-free options, in a sense, to any Government, but isn't the greatest risk of all dither and delay?