7. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 20) Regulations 2021

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:16 pm on 23 November 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 5:16, 23 November 2021

Minister, we thank you for your statement today and the regulations you've set out. We won't be, as Welsh Conservatives, supporting these regulations today. I would point out to the Minister and Members that we've supported approximately 90 per cent of the Welsh Government's COVID regulations because we accept and agree that they're in place for good reasons in terms of keeping the people of Wales safe. Many of the aspects that you've set out in these regulations today we do agree with; however, there are two particular reasons why we won't support the regulations today. The first is that we can't support the extension of COVID passes for the reasons I've previously set out. There's the ethical, equality and other negative ramifications of COVID passes; we simply believe that they outweigh any benefit. And when I say 'benefit', we've yet to see the evidence of any benefit. Of course, I've already asked questions on this today, but we'd like to see the evidence that sits behind the COVID passes, and the benefits that they bring. In terms of the second point, I would state that we can't support the regulations today because the regulations provide an extension of a further three months of all COVID restrictions, including COVID passes, and I believe that the Government should be bringing forward the regulations on a case-by-case basis so we can discuss these here in this Chamber. As the Minister responds to my comments, I'd be grateful if the Minister could respond to that specific point. Diolch yn fawr.