Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:49 pm on 9 February 2021.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm happy to move the motions before us.
There are two sets of amendment regulations today. First, I'll consider those that relate to international travel, the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Restrictions) (Amendment) (No. 4) (Wales) Regulations 2021. Members will be aware that enhanced isolation requirements have been introduced for people arriving into Wales from countries where public health concerns have been identified in relation to variant of concern strains of coronavirus. All travellers arriving into Wales from countries subject to enhanced isolation requirements are now required to isolate for 10 days, and will only be able to leave isolation in very limited circumstances. The same isolation requirements apply to all members of their household.
Following the review of the Joint Biosecurity Centre's assessments, these amendment regulations add Burundi, Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates to the so-called red list of countries. These requirements also apply to people who had already arrived in Wales from these countries, and members of their households, in the 10 days prior to the regulations being made on 29 January. New exceptions were also introduced to the ban on aircraft and vessels travelling directly from a red list country to Wales. Their arrival is now permitted in the following circumstances: aircraft landing for the purpose of refuelling or maintenance where no passengers board or disembark, air ambulances landing for the purpose of transporting a person for medical treatment, and vessels required to moor pursuant to a safety direction.
The latest general review of coronavirus restrictions in Wales took place on 28 January. They concluded, as you know, that the whole country should remain at alert level 4, the highest level of restrictions, for at least a further three weeks. Although we are seeing steady and encouraging falls across Wales, they remain too high to consider a widespread relaxation of restrictions. The second regulations being considered today, however, the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, make small but important changes to the coronavirus restrictions in Wales following this latest review.
Two people from different households can now exercise together, although they should make every effort to maintain social distancing. People must still start and finish exercise from their own home, by foot or cycle, unless the person needs to travel for health reasons. We have also provided for a support bubble to be changed, provided that both households do not see any other households for a period of 10 days before forming the new bubble. Although this amendment recognises that people's circumstances change, guidance is still clear that changing bubbles should be a last resort. Finally, automatic car washes are now listed alongside petrol stations and garages as allowed to open, to help provide legal clarity. I ask Members to support these regulations, which continue to play an important part in adapting the coronavirus rules here in Wales to ensure that they remain both effective and proportionate. Thank you.