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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:40 pm on 23 November 2021.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 3:40, 23 November 2021

(Translated)

Thank you very much. I am very sorry to hear about Ffion's situation, and we all think about her and wish her all the best. And I think that's a very important point to make: none of us know how we will respond when we catch coronavirus, and that's why it's so important that we do have the vaccine if we're offered it. So, I am very pleased to see that so many people have taken up the opportunity to have the vaccine. Other than those who are already physically weak and those who have previous medical conditions, a vast percentage of the 58 people in critical care in our hospitals are those who haven't been vaccinated. I do think we need to think about our responsibility as individuals to think about the pressure on our hospitals at the moment. And when 10 per cent of the beds in our hospitals are tied up with COVID, I do think we have to ask questions of everyone who doesn't take up the opportunity to be vaccinated to ask, 'Where does your responsibility lie to us who, perhaps, need to use the NHS for other things as well?'

In terms of enforcement, it is important that we do ensure that if we do introduce these new rules, enforcement is undertaken. And that is why we have constant discussions with the police, with, for example, those people who are responsible for trains and buses and with local government as well, and that happens very regularly. You will have seen that someone in Swansea didn't want to use passes for a cinema; it is worth saying that I have had a response from Ben in Snowcat Cinema, and what he told me was that, since we introduced the COVID pass—