Mental Health

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:31 pm on 23 March 2021.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 2:31, 23 March 2021

I certainly don't intend to overlook the benefits of them reopening, Llywydd. I know the Member will have welcomed the decision to allow the resumption of children's outdoor activities during the Easter holidays, and, of course, outdoor gyms are already open here in Wales. The Member will be aware of the technical advisory cell report that rehearsed the risks that enclosed indoor spaces where people exercise continue to pose during a global pandemic. We hope that the conditions in Wales will be sufficiently improved after 12 April that the reopening of gyms and leisure centres can be considered, and I've already said that it will be one of four things that will be on the list of things that we will consider for that next three-week phase. That is a recognition of both the physical and the mental well-being benefits that come from people being able to use those venues, but it has to be balanced against the risks that are posed. Those risks are real, and they're set out in the TAC report. I'm afraid that if you're making responsible decisions in Government, you cannot afford just to shrug off advice that you don't find appealing or palatable. We will reopen the sector. We'll do it carefully. We'll do it in line with advice. We'll do it as soon as the public health position in Wales makes it safe to do so, but not before.