7. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:05 pm on 2 March 2021.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 4:05, 2 March 2021

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion before us. The No. 5 regulations, as Members will be aware, were reviewed on 18 February and concluded that the whole of Wales should remain at alert level 4. This means everyone must continue to stay at home. All non-essential retail, hospitality venues, licensed premises and leisure facilities must remain closed. We have, however, amended the restriction regulations to allow a maximum of four people from two different households to exercise together. Those exercising together from different households should make every effort to maintain social distancing. People must continue to start and finish exercise from their home by foot or cycle, unless a person has additional needs, because of a disability or for other health reasons. In addition, the elite sport designation in the regulations was amended to recognise people who make a living from sport and designations made by sporting bodies in other parts of the UK.

We've clearly set out that our Government's first priority is to get as many children and students back to face-to-face learning as soon as possible. I'm sure we were all pleased to see foundation phase children and those sitting priority vocational qualifications return on 22 February. The Minister for Education has set out the ambition of the Government for all remaining primary school children and those scheduled to take exams this year to return to face-to-face learning on 15 March. 

Despite huge progress in rolling out vaccines and the improving public health situation, we have all seen how quickly the situation can deteriorate. Faced with new variants of coronavirus, we cannot provide as much certainty and predictability as we would like. Our approach will be to ease restrictions in gradual steps, listening to the medical and scientific advice, and assessing the impact of the changes we make as we go along. We do not want to raise people's hopes and expectations too early and then to have to disappoint them. We will give as much notice to people and businesses as we can. When we believe it is safe and proportionate to ease restrictions, then we will do so.

I ask Members to support these regulations, which continue to play an important part in adapting the coronavirus rules here in Wales to ensure they remain effective and proportionate, and are still a key part of how we can all help to keep Wales safe. Thank you.