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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:19 pm on 2 November 2021.

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Photo of Mabon ap Gwynfor Mabon ap Gwynfor Plaid Cymru 3:19, 2 November 2021

(Translated)

Thank you, Minister. Well, I'm expressing the views of constituents here, and many others, in saying that they've totally lost track of your strategy in dealing with coronavirus, I'm sorry to say. You introduced the COVID pass and, in the debate in this place some weeks ago, all the debate centred around the need for a COVID pass because of nightclubs, and that young people were going to nightclubs. But at that time the evidence showed that the infection was spreading in our schools, and it's been rampant in our schools for over two months. It's taken two and a half months for you to come to this Chamber and to say that you are going to take action in schools. So, I'm grateful for your contribution in mentioning schools today, but people have lost confidence, and therefore it's crucially important that you communicate clearly with parents as to what the expectations on them are when children are found to be COVID positive, or teachers and staff in schools.

You mentioned that the WRU were happy with the COVID passes. That might be the case, but tens of thousands of people came off buses and trains and went into pubs, were singing and shouting, and none of them were wearing a face mask. I was here in Cardiff and I didn't see a single face mask, which suggests that you perhaps haven't learnt the lessons since last year's six nations, and shows why we need an independent inquiry into COVID here in Wales. So, will you commit to extending the passes to be a meaningful passport?

And you also mentioned self-isolation—one final question: when you expect people to isolate, what financial support will you provide for them and their families as they have to stop working for perhaps up to a fortnight? Thank you.