3. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on COVID-19

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:14 pm on 2 November 2021.

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Photo of Gareth Davies Gareth Davies Conservative 3:14, 2 November 2021

Thank you very much, Minister, for your statement this afternoon, as well as for allowing Dr Atherton to brief members of the health committee at lunchtime today, which we're really grateful for. Minister, it's quite clear that we will never be able to stop the spread of COVID. After all, we have the toughest control measures in the UK, but have the highest infection and death rates. We have to focus efforts on protecting the vulnerable. With that in mind, Minister, what additional protections are you introducing to protect those in the care sector? Do you plan to update the guidance to care homes, and do you agree with me that the best way to protect the vulnerable is to ensure that all care home staff and residents are fully vaccinated? Therefore, how do you plan to incentivise staff to take up the COVID and flu vaccines? And, finally, could you possibly answer my colleague Russell George’s question on whether the changes announced on Friday, with the changes to PCR tests, are actually guidance or legal requirements? I think that’s very important for this Senedd and the Welsh public to know that. Thank you.