Item 9 on our agenda is the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Restrictions) (Amendment) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2021, and I call on the Minister for Health and Social Services to move the motion—Vaughan Gething.

Motion NDM7570 Rebecca Evans

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Restrictions) (Amendment) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2021 laid in the Table Office on 21 January 2021.

Motion moved.

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion before us. There's only set of amending regulations to be considered today—the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Restrictions) (Amendment) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2021. Members will be aware that, in response to the emergence of several variances of COVID-19, we have temporarily suspended all travel corridors. Countries with strong travel connections to areas where the new strains have been detected are considered a high risk of transmission. Enhanced isolation requirements have also been introduced in relation to travellers arriving into Wales from these countries. 

On review of the latest assessments, I have decided that the enhanced isolation requirements should continue to apply to the current list of countries. As a result of these regulations, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Republic of Tanzania have also been added to this list. These restrictions will be reviewed again in three weeks. All travellers arriving into Wales who have been in these high-risk countries in the previous 10 days will be required to isolate for 10 days. They will only be able to leave isolation in very limited circumstances. These tighter isolation requirements will also apply to all members of their household.

The regulations have also been amended to only allow aircraft and vessels travelling directly from a country or a territory subject to enhanced isolation requirements to arrive in Wales in exceptional circumstances. Although not provided for by these regulations, Members will no doubt be aware that discussions are ongoing with the UK Government and other Governments within the UK to strengthen border measures. A number of options are being considered, including managed quarantine and enhanced enforcement of at-home isolation, and additional testing for all travellers.

There remains a great deal of detail to work through after the headline announcements that were made last week. The Welsh Government will continue to work closely with other UK administrations to carefully consider the necessary arrangements to keep people safe. I ask Members to support these regulations, which we believe continue to be an essential part of keeping Wales safe. 

Thank you. I call on the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, Mick Antoniw. 

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. We considered these regulations at our meeting yesterday morning, and our report has been laid in time for this afternoon’s Plenary session. My contribution to this debate will be brief.

Our report contains two merits points. The first point notes the Welsh Government’s justification for any interference with human rights. Our report draws particular attention to a passage in the explanatory memorandum that confirms that the amendments made by these regulations do not change the engagement under the international travel regulations of individual rights under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European convention on human rights. The second merits point is a familiar reporting point—we've noted that there has been no formal consultation on the regulations, for reasons Members will be aware of. Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. 

Thank you. Rhun ap Iorwerth. 

I have no comments to make on these regulations.

Thank you very much. I call on the Minister for Health and Social Services to reply. 

Thank you for the constructive comments once again from the legislation and justice committee, and I hope that Members will now support the regulations before us. 

Thank you. The proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? No. Therefore the motion is agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. 

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

I do also want to put on the record that there was an objection raised to one of the items in the last set of three that I couldn't see. And I think sometimes it is quite difficult to actually see you all trying to wave at me, and, if you're sitting in a semi-dark room as well, it's even harder to catch you, so I do apologise. I believe Gareth Bennett was raising an objection, so that is corrected and it will go in the voting script. So, I apologise for that.