Here we are once again, responding to a worsening situation. Wherever we look in Wales, everyone, I hope, would acknowledge that this is a crisis, whether we ourselves live in an area where the number of cases is low or in those very large areas that have seen a frightening increase in the number of COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks. We won't spend time today on what happened in coming out too soon from the firebreak, without having a sustainable strategy in place, perhaps, because we are discussing a new plan and the need to change direction once again.

In principle, I think the system of having levels of green through to black is a good idea, but deciding which level we should be on on a national basis, and in different parts of Wales, will be entirely crucial, and those decisions are not easy.

In terms of regional action, we will support the Conservative amendment today. Our first amendment refers to the same thing, but also refers to what this action could mean. There are two aspects that are referred to in that amendment, namely restrictions and support, and there is a value in having a basic fundamental level of national controls. No area is immune to this virus, but, where the cases are highest, it makes sense to me that there is scope to operate differently. That could mean restrictions, yes, but, along with that, the Government must be able to provide a higher level of support.

There are many countries, areas and cities and so on that have experienced success in controlling the virus and ensuring that people have the support that they need to self-isolate. The Welsh Government and the UK Government haven't been effective in this particular area, and studies show that it's a minority who are doing what's required in self-isolating successfully. So, provide financial support so that people make the right choice in remaining at home. Provide practical support—take crucial services to people's doors rather than them being tempted to leave home to seek those services. Put people in a hotel, as many other countries have done, so that their families are safe, and provide emotional support too.

On the second amendment, Helen Mary Jones will expand on that, but it mentions communication and having effective communication with businesses and other organisations to prepare for the day when we can start to reopen, and we're all looking forward to that day. But putting the right actions in place now is going to have a great influence on when that day will come. Now, I love the Christmas period, but I do very much hope that the Government will accept our offer to participate in cross-party discussions on what should be done around the festive period, how we can strengthen the rules and the messaging in the period leading up to Christmas, and that five days around Christmas itself. This will affect every one of us. 

If I can conclude by making reference to the plan published yesterday, simply stating that it's people's behaviour after the firebreak that was to blame—namely that people's behaviour didn't give us the outcomes we were looking for—that isn't good enough. Yes, each and every one of us has a responsibility to behave in a way that keeps ourselves, the people around us and our communities safe, but that behaviour happens within a context set by Government. And the steps taken by Government and the messaging of Government does have a very great influence on those behaviours, and let's bear that in mind too.