3. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Coronavirus

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 12:55 pm on 30 December 2020.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 12:55, 30 December 2020

I thank the Member for his questions and comments. I completely agree that we are very fortunate that, whilst it was an unusual Christmas, most of us were able to enjoy Christmas at home and safe, and whilst we were doing that, there were people in our health service and other emergency services, and across social care, who were going out to do their job to keep us safe, many of those knowingly putting themselves in harm's way to do so.

On enforcement, I recognise the frustration of the Member and the concern of his constituents, and many others, who are concerned that essential retail still need to have control measures in place for the safety of their customers and, indeed, their staff. The enforcement conversation is one that does not stop. There'll be a meeting between Ministers, the police and local government next week again to look at where we are on enforcement. I hope that we'll be able to provide some figures and information to Members on where we are in terms of enforcement activity. I've seen a draft report of the enforcement activity taken in the run-up to Christmas that showed that, at that point, most enforcement focused on hospitality venues when it came to improvement notices or closure notices.

I know there are other Members, too, who have contacted me directly about their concerns over localised incidents at supermarkets. There doesn't appear to be a consistent view across one chain or another, but there are local incidents of real concern, and we do want to see those followed up, as I say, for the safety of staff and the public. We'll also be talking to the police as well. I think we're a long way past taking an education approach to these matters. We're nearly 10 months deep into this crisis, and if people don't understand the need to do the right thing now, then I have to say that I don't take the rather more hand-off approach. I actually think that people who are travelling in their cars to go and visit beauty spots know damn well they're doing the wrong thing and know they are outside the law, and I believe the law should be enforced in those circumstances.

On vaccine delivery, I'm very happy to confirm this will be of particular benefit to those areas where people don't have ready access to their own transport. So, the work we're doing with local healthcare providers, GPs and pharmacies in particular will mean there's much readier and easier access for communities to get this vaccine, to get the coverage and the protection that it provides. I hope the Member will see that for himself in his own community over the coming weeks ahead.