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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:35 pm on 23 November 2021.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 3:35, 23 November 2021

(Translated)

Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you for the statement. The situation is still very serious obviously, although I am pleased to see figures reducing somewhat, in terms of numbers, and in terms of the positivity rate too. But this afternoon, I'm thinking particularly about Ffion Parry, a 10-year-old girl from Amlwch, in my constituency, who's been gravely ill in Alder Hey hospital, after her body responded very badly to this virus. And I want to wish her and her family well. And that is why we are taking this virus seriously, and that's why each and every one of us, in all parties in this place, need to be considered in our response to it. 

Yes, I understand the frustrations of people that we are still facing some restrictions that are having an impact on our daily lives. But I'm sure I'm speaking on behalf of every politician and everyone who makes laws and regulations, that we look forward to scrapping those laws and regulations as soon as possible, but we aren't at that point as of yet.

A few issues I wanted to raise—. First of all, a lack of consistency in terms of the provision of the booster. I'm grateful to the Minister for saying earlier that an official will look at the situation in my constituency—in Holyhead and Amlwch—where far lower numbers have had the booster in those areas. But I would like an assurance about the steps being taken to ensure consistency in the provision of the booster across Wales. 

Secondly, vaccination, of course, is our greatest protection, we know that. But I am still concerned that there is a lack of action on some of the other fundamentals that could keep us safe. And, when I see pictures or hear reports about trains that are full to overflowing and people not wearing masks as they travel to rugby matches, then, clearly there is still a lack of enforcement. And I would like to know what steps the Government is taking to seek to tackle those problems, and in schools too. It's an issue I've raised time and time again: what's going to be done, as we go deeper into the winter months, to strengthen ventilation policies and open windows in schools to keep pupils and staff safe?

If I can turn to COVID passes, we've discussed the difficulties that some people have had in getting through to that central helpline to ask for a paper pass. And I appreciate the written statement made in the letter by the Minister, this morning, stating that there will be greater capacity in the system. I'm looking forward to hearing that that is working, because if a COVID pass is a sensible step in principle, it does have to work on a practical level too.

But one very specific point: there are concerns from people who support the principle as to how it's operating on a practical level. I've mentioned to the Minister already one cinema, where there was great frustration about having to turn people away—grandparents there with their grandchildren, who couldn't get in, because they had failed to get their paper pass. They had their proof of vaccination, and they wanted to use that to come in. But it wasn't possible to allow that, because they didn't have the official pass. Now, the cinema was asking whether there was another way of using that proof of vaccination along with an ID, for example. Now, I know that one could have a lateral flow test, and that would avoid the need for waiting for the COVID pass. But, it is clear that there is a lack of understanding still; it's clear that people and many institutions need more help in order to ensure that they can keep things tight, as they want to do. So, can I ask what additional support the Government and the Minister can offer to that cinema and to other institutions across Wales, who do want to support this and to work with the policy, but are having some difficulty on occasion?