Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:44 pm on 29 June 2021.
Thank you, Minister, for that statement with regard to these new regulations. We'll be supporting these regulations, although the context of the regulations is a decision not to relax restrictions further. There was an opportunity here to look at a few elements and to push the boundaries of what was possible in terms of weddings and so on, and I certainly welcome that as a principle—that we should be seeking what is possible to do safely all the time. So, I do welcome that.
I just have four or five questions briefly. You mention again the importance of fresh air and ventilation—I welcome that very much. What about raising the spec of masks that we expect health and care workers to wear? There is still pressure on the Government to demand FFP3 masks—we would welcome clarity on that. And I would welcome clarity on what you said a week ago:
'In terms of students, it's clear that it is possible for people to walk in and receive their vaccine. It's important that people understand that, be it the first or second dose.'
Now, our research suggests that there are only two health boards, Hywel Dda and Betsi Cadwaladr, that are offering those walk-ins—those walk-in centres—without an appointment. Perhaps you can explain what the situation is, and if the walk-ins aren't available in every health board area, is it something that the Government is pressing, because I think it does need to be rolled out as part of the offer to bring more people in as soon as possible to have the vaccination.
I'll note here a major discontent in the world of education following the announcement of the education Minister yesterday. As the health Minister, where the understanding of rules and consistency of how rules are implemented across Wales are important in the battle against the virus, would you call upon the education Minister to look again at a few elements of what he said in terms of placing powers in the hands of individual schools and the confusion that that could cause?
And I also have a question about the new health Minister in Westminster. Has there been a meeting between you, or are you going to be seeking to meet the new health Minister, specifically to ask about his intention to press ahead, it appears, with that date to lift every restriction on 19 July in England, and to consider the implications of that for Wales, and the discussion that will be needed between you as health Ministers in that regard?
And finally, the Welsh language—the new app that will enable people to show a certificate that they have been vaccinated. We heard the First Minister say that it isn't available in Welsh. On every occasion, whatever the context, we should ensure that provision is available in Welsh and English at the same time. That is one question, but may I also draw your attention to the upset that has been caused? A number of people have contacted me seeing their vaccination cards with the Welsh language being crossed out—being filled in in English, which is fine if the staff aren't able to speak Welsh, but the Welsh is then crossed out. Having a vaccination is something that's become quite an emotional event for some people, and seeing the Welsh language being treated in that way has caused a great deal of upset for several people who have contacted me.