The next item is item 5: statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services, an update on COVID-19. I call on the Minister, Eluned Morgan. 

Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you very much for the opportunity to update Members about the latest and very serious development in this fast-moving pandemic. At the end of last week, the World Health Organization advised countries around the world to take a series of measures following the identification of a new variant of concern of coronavirus. The variant, now called omicron, was first reported to the World Health Organization from South Africa six days ago. In less than a week, cases of omicron have been identified in countries as far apart as Australia, Hong Kong, Belgium, Israel and Canada. It has also reached the UK. And, I'm afraid, it will only be a matter of time, despite all the measures we have put in place, before the first cases are confirmed in Wales.

I want to share with you what we know so far, and what we are doing to respond to slow the inevitable and to keep Wales safe. We are taking the emergence of omicron seriously. It has a larger number of mutations than any of the variants seen previously—more than 50 overall. If we look at the part of the virus that makes first contact with our body's cells, there are 10 mutations in the omicron variant. The delta variant, which quickly became the most dominant strain last winter, had only two.

The evidence from South Africa so far suggests this variant may move quickly and be capable of re-infecting people who have already had coronavirus or have been double vaccinated. But there’s a lot we still don’t know, and won’t know for a while. This includes whether it leads to a more severe form of illness.

Yesterday, the First Minister and the First Minister of Scotland wrote to the Prime Minister requesting a COBRA meeting to discuss a co-ordinated four-nations response to this variant. Disappointingly, the Prime Minister’s spokesman has declined this request. A joined-up, four-nations approach would be the most effective response to this new variant.

Over the course of the weekend, we've been able to move together with the rest of United Kingdom, however. We have all put 10 southern African countries linked to the omicron variant on the red list for international travel. This means that anyone returning to the UK from these countries will have to complete 10 days of quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel. In addition, vaccinated travellers coming back to the UK from a non-red list country will have to self-isolate and take a PCR test on day two of their return. They can leave isolation if and when they have a negative result. If their test is positive, they will need to isolate for 10 days. People they live with will also need to isolate until they've had a negative test. These new rules replace the requirement to have a lateral flow test when returning from overseas, and is another step to prevent the variant from spreading in our communities. We will retain the option of introducing a PCR test at day 8 at a later date.

Last night, the education Minister strengthened the use of face coverings in secondary schools, colleges and universities for the rest of the winter term. All staff and learners should wear face coverings while indoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained. And we'll change our self-isolation rules so that everyone identified as a close contact of a confirmed or even a suspected omicron case in Wales will need to isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status or age. And we hope these actions, when taken together with all the other protections in place in Wales, will help to slow the spread of this variant.

Llywydd, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended an acceleration of the vaccine programme following the emergence of this new variant. I have accepted the JCVI's advice, and I echo the words of its chair, who has said that we will get the greatest benefit if we can vaccinate people before another wave hits. We will be extending the booster programme to all adults aged of 18 to 39, and reducing the gap between the second dose and the booster from six months to three months. We will continue to vaccinate people in order of risk—people who are older or clinically vulnerable will be called first. We will offer people who are immunosuppressed a booster dose three months after they have had their third primary dose. All 12 to 15-year-olds will also be eligible for a second dose. This strategy is aimed at saving lives, protecting the NHS and reducing infection as far as possible.

Expanding the roll-out of the vaccination programme will be challenging. We are relying on our NHS workforce to, once again, deliver an urgent pandemic response in order to protect our public health. They've already done so much throughout the course of the pandemic. I would like to put on record my thanks to all of our health and care staff who have worked so hard, and to the vaccine teams who are planning the expansion of this vital programme. We will continue to offer vaccines to people who are unvaccinated or may only have had one dose. I just want to make it quite clear: it is never too late to be vaccinated.

Llywydd, there has never been a more important time for us all to work together to protect our families and our loved ones. In addition to our fantastic vaccination programme, we still need to keep doing the small things that will keep us safer through the pandemic: self-isolating and getting tested if we have symptoms, taking regular lateral-flow tests, particularly before we go out to busy places, meeting people outdoors if possible, keeping our distance where we can, washing our hands regularly and wearing a face covering.

This is a worrying time and, of course, we all hope that this pandemic won't overshadow Christmas. We know that everyone is tired of this pandemic, and we all want it to end. But we all need to work together to look after each other once again. This is a fast-moving situation, and we are closely monitoring the situation. If the evidence suggests that we need to take further steps to protect people, we will do that. We don't want to make life difficult for people, but we will do everything that we can to keep Wales safe. Thank you.

Conservative spokesperson, Russell George.

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, can I thank you for your advance copy today of the statement, and a very important statement as well? I think the Government is correct to take this new variant seriously. I think we need to be cautious, but also balanced, and the Minister has correctly set out that there is a lot, of course, that we don’t know, which is the current position.

I suspect you may agree with me on the first part of what I say, Minister. You have a lot on your plate at the present time, because we know there are two significant issues here. We know that there’s this new variant and the importance of the vaccination roll-out, and we also know that the state of our NHS is in a very difficult position as well. The First Minister set out today, correctly, that the pressures on the NHS are only going to get more severe as we head, of course, into the winter. So, in that regard, can I ask what discussions you’ve had with the First Minister in terms of a specific vaccination Minister? Of course, there’s a new call for this from myself, because we know that on one hand we’ve got the issues with the NHS in terms of the worst accident and emergency waiting time, the longest ambulance waiting times, and the longest waiting times for treatment in the NHS in Wales’s history. So, on one hand there’s that to deal with and to respond to, and on the other hand, there is the vaccination programme roll-out, which also takes such pressure, of course, on your time as well, Minister.

In regard to the vaccinations, can I just ask a few questions around that in terms of the vaccination programme? At the briefing, of course, today, we heard Dr Richardson outline that there is sufficient supply in terms of the booster jab, which I think is positive news in that regard. The pressure now here is on getting that vaccination programme expanded and increased. I know that you've been reluctant to support walk-in vaccination centres previously and referred to them as free-for-alls, but, of course, the JCVI has now changed their advice in that all adults should now receive the booster vaccination, and the shortened time period now between the second dose and the booster jab. So, I wonder if you would revisit that approach as well and also comment on the fact that, of course, some health boards across Wales are actually running walk-in booster centres. So, there is a different approach across Wales in some regards, but will you now fully put your weight behind the walk-in booster centres, which I certainly think is the right approach? If you are in agreement as well, can you provide any update in regards to the reopening of mass vaccination centres across Wales? I think they should be; I'd appreciate your view on that. I wonder if you also agree with me, Minister, in terms of the importance of increasing volunteers to work within the NHS and to support the vaccination programme. I wonder if you could provide us with what actions the Government is taking to reactivate the NHS COVID volunteers operation also.

Keeping education open, of course, is a priority for myself and for my colleagues on this side of the Chamber. I think it is for you as well, Minister. I agreed with the education Minister yesterday evening in terms of expanding face coverings in education and in colleges. Can I ask for a firmer commitment that schools will remain open? We know we're in an uncertain period, but can I ask for a commitment on easing restrictions such as vaccination passports if the new variant proves no more dangerous than delta? I think the public will want to know that. And also, can I ask for an update in regard to issues previously outlined around COVID passes and the difficulty of obtaining them? There are issues about the length of time, people wanting additional support with a telephone line, a support line—if you can update us on that—and also in terms of COVID certification. A constituent raised a specific issue with me in terms of having one vaccination in Scotland and the second vaccination in Wales. I think you are aware of this problem, because it's previously been raised, but if you could update us on the potential to make sure NHS Scotland and NHS Wales are talking to each other, to make sure that people can receive COVID certifications in order for them to carry out their work, which is the situation in this case.

And finally, I wonder if you could talk a little bit about the booster jabs in terms of—. The concern that I have, Minister, is that pushing the COVID passes without that scientific basis could potentially undermine confidence in Government when it comes to other directions from Government. I'm concerned that that could potentially undermine any further restrictions that you need to bring forward in terms of this new variant in regard to the scientific basis behind COVID vaccinations, which, of course, is fully supported. So, effectively, Minister, the scientific evidence behind decisions is absolutely crucial for the public to understand.

Diolch yn fawr, Russell. Just to make it absolutely clear: I'm very aware of the precarious situation we are in in relation to the NHS as we enter winter, which is, traditionally, a very challenging time anyway, but, obviously, this year we have the added pressures that have built due to the pandemic. We're concerned about the possible flu outbreak; there are already very significant calls on A&E. So, what we're going to try and do here is to try and ensure that on top of all of that, we don't see an additional wave of this new omicron variant hitting our hospitals. So, what we're doing is listening to the advice of the JCVI—they are the scientific experts who are telling us, 'Go early and get people vaccinated before any potential wave hits us'. So, we are listening to that advice.

In terms of a vaccination Minister, obviously, that is a call for the First Minister. If I were to say something, I would say that, actually, it's the First Minister who is the vaccination Minister, because he takes such a very, very active interest in the vaccination programme. He has weekly meetings where he interrogates the officials to make sure that we're on top of that, and I would suggest that that's part of the reason why we have one of the most successful vaccination programmes in the entire world. So, it is something where I'm very confident that our vaccination Minister, who is, indeed, the First Minister, is doing a very good job. In terms of the supply, we were very pleased to see and have had confirmed that there is a plentiful supply of both Pfizer and Moderna, which are the two vaccines that are being recommended. 

In terms of walk-in centres, I've got the JCVI advice here and I'll read exactly what it says. It says that the

'Booster vaccination should now be offered in order of descending age groups, with priority given to the vaccination of older adults and those in a COVID-19 at-risk group.'

That's what the JCVI are saying and that's why we're following their advice. The walk-in centres are a bit of a free-for-all; we are following the advice of the JCVI. If we are going to go further, obviously, we are going to mount now a massive response in terms of how we mobilise this new vaccination army that we will be developing in the next few days. We've already, obviously, spoken to our health boards who are coming up with more detailed plans for us tomorrow. Discussions have already been had with local government, with the army, with all kinds of organisations to see what more can we put in place and who's up for this—who is up for helping us out at this very challenging time. 

We've always said that schools will be the last things to close. We're doing our utmost to try and keep them open, and I was very pleased to see that the education Minister made that announcement yesterday. We will do everything that we can to try and keep our children in school. Obviously, if we find out that this is not a serious variant and it doesn't impact us too negatively, then we will respond in a way that is appropriate. Because we don't know the situation, I think it's absolutely right for us to err on the side of caution.

In relation to the COVID pass, the telephone line, we know, has been under real pressure. I hope Members received a letter from me outlining what we're planning to do there. There's been a recruitment drive to try and increase the number of people who are available to answer the phones. We're putting a patch in to make sure that we can just manage people better. We are aware of the situation in terms of the COVID certificates and the difficulty of somebody who's had one vaccine, perhaps, in Wales, and another in Scotland. England and Wales should be speaking to each other. It is still difficult for the Welsh and the Scottish system, but we are aware of that and we're working on that. In relation to the COVID pass, I'm not going to apologise for the fact we have introduced this COVID pass in areas where lots of people congregate. We know that the virus just thrives in areas where lots of people congregate indoors, and so I'm not going to apologise for that. What we will do is to determine and to address the situation, of course, in our three-weekly 21-day review process, but if we were to see that the situation changed quickly, obviously we may need to bring in measures more quickly than that. We're not in that place yet, but we're, obviously, keeping an eye on the situation as the days go on.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Thank you very much, Deputy Llywydd. Thank you for today's update. This is another twist in the tale of this pandemic, and as we've just heard, it's a development that certainly needs to be taken seriously. It's a matter of concern that there is evidence that it can reinfect those who have already had COVID-19 or have been double vaccinated, as we've already heard. But these are early days, of course, and it's important to bear that in mind too. There's a great deal of learning to be done.

I think I have around six questions, in case you want to take a note of them. Just on a practical level, can we have confirmation that the laboratories doing the bulk of the testing work in Wales can identify this new variant so that we are informed at an early stage of the situation here?

And secondly, one thing that I know a care home in my constituency is keen to know: do we now know whether lateral flow tests can identify this variant? It's clear why they're concerned about that. They have, by the way, written to the Minister asking about support in introducing PCR testing machines that can work within 90 minutes, and I look forward to seeing the Minister's response on that.

I think it's shocking that the UK Prime Minister rejected a request to work on a four-nation basis in response to this variant. There have been decisions that have had to be taken in common across the four nations, on international travel, for example. I certainly agree with the decision to make it a requirement to wear face coverings.

In schools in Wales, something that has been decided here in Wales for secondary schools and colleges, one specific question: can I have an assurance whether that requirement for wearing a face covering in schools and colleges is a legal requirement? There was some uncertainty raised with me on that particular issue.

The Government is right to change the self-isolation rules, and to tighten those rules once again, but, just another specific question, what additional support, financial or otherwise, is the Welsh Government considering offering to people to ensure that they are able to isolate effectively? It's a question that we've asked a number of times over the past year and three quarters. It may be arising as an important question once again here.

Moving to the new JCVI advice, yes, certainly we need to accelerate and expand the vaccination process. I think we've heard a suggestion from the Minister as to how determined she is to shift gear in terms of that vaccination process. May I ask what additional resources will be available to do that, the financial resources and other resources?

And a theme I return to again: can we have a clear communications programme so that people do have a clear idea of when they are likely to get their vaccination, and what to do then if they haven't been invited when they should have been invited? I accept what the Government says, that we need to go through people in terms of priority, but people are eager to get this vaccination and they need to know when their turn is likely to come about. And if something has gone wrong, then it's right that they should know to pick up the phone or to just inform the authorities that they've been missed. I think that's an important part of the process.

Finally, I'd like to draw the Minister's attention to serious concerns that have been raised this afternoon about the physical and mental well-being of the players and staff of Cardiff Rugby club—those concerns were raised on social media by ITV Wales sports correspondent Beth Fisher, who was reporting about grave concerns for the team who are still out in South Africa. Of course, they want to return home and, of course, we would have to have a testing and quarantine system in place for them to return home, but can the Minister tell us what she is doing to facilitate their return to Wales as soon as is possible?

Thank you very much. Just to make it clear, some laboratories in the UK can't yet identify the new variant through PCR. So, we're just trying to ensure that we know which laboratories those are. Of course, there's a big one in Wales, and that would be in a situation where they would be able to identify it.FootnoteLink

We're not sure if LFTs can do that yet, but work done in Germany so far shows that it's likely that they will be able to. But, we've only known about this situation for six days, so that work is being done across the world. That's an important point.

In terms of the self-isolation changes, the rules and the financial support, we've discussed very broadly that we will need to do something in this area, but we're not at that point yet, so we haven't had any agreement on that.

Regarding face coverings in schools, it is a recommendation in guidance, just so that people understand what that means.

And then, regarding when people will receive their booster vaccine, it's a very complex programme already, before we have this additional major programme, so we are asking people to be patient. We will, in time, be saying, 'Well, if you haven't heard so far, if you're in this category, then you should get in touch.' But we're not at that point yet. So, at present, I would ask people not to get in touch, because a lot of work is being done, and we need to focus on the big picture. We will get to you and we will let you know. If you're in a specific group and you think you've missed your turn, well, we haven't reached that point yet, so, please be patient, if possible.

And in terms of Cardiff Rugby, evidently, what happened is that South Africa has gone on the red list, so that means there is a legal requirement for them to isolate. Our responsibility as a Government is to keep the people of Wales safe, and so it's important that we do that by keeping the new variant out as long as possible. Of course, there are a lot of people across the world who are in the same situation as Cardiff Rugby, and so, we're aware that we do need to consider that they are in a tough situation, but we consider that there are other people in the same situation across the world, so we are keeping a watching brief on the situation.

The fact is that there is no hotel where they can self-isolate in Wales, and there is a clear reason for that—because, generally, there are no planes that are coming from the red-list countries, and Cardiff is not an airport where aeroplanes from red-list countries can land. It would be illegal. So, if that is the situation that we're in, well, that would mean that people have to land in England. It wouldn't make much sense in terms of health to take people from an airport in England to a hotel in Wales, and it's difficult to consider, at present, whether a hotel, just before Christmas, would be willing to change its status to a hotel that is willing to receive people from a red-list country, because that's the only thing they could do, and so Christmas would be over for them as a hotel and so, evidently, that is impossible for us to implement at present.

Correspondence from the Minister for Health and Social Services

I also want to place my thanks to our healthcare workers again at this time, and also those involved with the booster vaccination programme. I do welcome the Welsh Government announcement that the booster programme will be extended to all adults, all children to be offered a second dose, and reducing the gap between the second dose and the booster from six down to three months. Minister, the emergence of the omicron virus is potentially a very serious concern. What actions will the Welsh Government take to accelerate the booster vaccination programme so that all Welsh adults can swiftly receive their booster earlier than originally envisaged? Thank you.

Thanks very much, Rhianon, and, of course, you'll be aware that we have a very clear programme, and now we're going to undertake all of the recommendations that have come from the JCVI. We will be expanding the vaccination programme, as I explained in my statement, to all adults aged 18 to 39 years old, in terms of the booster, and those who are severely immunosuppressed will be getting a fourth vaccine, effectively, and, as you say, children from 12 to 15 years old will be offered a second dose. So, yes, we are accelerating the programme very rapidly. We did have a target to try and reach all of those who were under 50 by the new year. We are going to try and supercharge the whole process as much as possible. We'll hopefully be able to give a bit more detail in the next week or so in terms of what our plans look like and what the expectation should be there, but, as I say, only six days so far, and I can assure you that our teams have been working all weekend on this already.

Most of my questions have been answered, so I won't waste too much time, but I, too, would also like to be associated with sharing my thanks to the NHS staff and social care staff who have done so much and are going to do, sadly, an awful lot more.

And thank you for your statement today. The area that I was going to pick up on was only on the back of several very concerned elderly residents who are really anxious that they've been struggling to get a COVID pass, and they are planning to have Christmas events with family and now fear that they perhaps won't be able to because a new expectation may come in that COVID passes have to be used in the hospitality sector. And I think I saw that replicated on the news somewhere earlier today, where hostelries are already finding there are cancellations of things. Now, I know that is perhaps an inevitable outcome of heightened concern, as we have at the moment, but I'm not sure, Minister, if you can say anything further about any intention to extend the COVID pass system into the hospitality sector. I know you'll review it on a three-weekly basis, but some of that clarity would be really helpful for elderly people who did not have a proper Christmas last year, and this will perhaps be the first time they have one, and they're really worried that they're going to have to cancel because they won't be able to get their pass if it is needed. Thank you. 

Thanks, Peter. We're all desperate for a good Christmas this year, aren't we? We were deprived of it last year, and I know in particular lots of old people love and really look forward to that time with their families. I would urge people to understand that it's a COVID pass, so not only can you use the pass, which demonstrates that you've had the vaccination, but also you can use a lateral flow test. Now, at the moment, the threat in Wales is actually the delta variant. Let's not forget, that's not gone away. We're still at a rate where we're just under 500 cases per 100,000. So, people need to take seriously the fact that actually COVID is still alive and well in our communities. So, they can take a lateral flow test if they're having difficulty there, but of course we'll do all we can to try to improve the situation in relation to getting that paper pass, if that would be helpful to them. 

And just on the hospitality situation, obviously this is something that we will review in the light of the 21-day review. 

Minister, it's crucial now that the difficulties that I'm sure we, as Members, have all heard of in terms of getting the booster and these concerns that we've discussed this afternoon are resolved. A constituent of mine in her late seventies suffers from a serious allergy, and this is clear on her medical records and it was taken into account when she had the first two vaccinations. She has been invited for a booster jab and, having gone every step from Cwm-gwrach to the centre in Swansea, she was turned away because she couldn't be dealt with there. Then, she was invited by her GP for the booster, and the same thing happened again. She was informed that the allergy team would contact her, but she is still waiting, and it's been some weeks now. She has no way—and I've looked at this myself—to contact the allergy team to know exactly when she will get an appointment and where. So, I would like to know what the Government is doing to ensure that these vulnerable people in all parts of Wales are properly protected and fully protected, particularly given the concern about this new variant. Thank you. 

Thank you very much, Sioned. It's obviously difficult for me to talk about any individual case, but what I do recognise is that it has been more difficult this time to go to specific people in their own homes, because you have to wait for 15 minutes after you have the vaccination. So, that's not the case in this particular case, but I do think it's important—and it's good to see that she has responded to that request when she was called, and I would think that it would make sense for her to carry on going to the people who understand the allergy system and how that would affect her. 

I actually had my Pfizer booster on Sunday. But in your written statement last night, 'COVID-19 Vaccination—JCVI further advice on boosters', you stated that you have accepted the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in line with the other nations of the UK. What assurance can you therefore provide for the constituent who stated this morning, 'I'm trying to rebook my booster vaccine from 18 December to 11 December as I'm travelling to France on 19 December and, to enter France, I have to have had my booster seven days beforehand. I'm going around in circles with the Welsh COVID vaccine line. Please can you help? It takes hours to get through and then no-one is able to change it. I've just called the COVID line again and they said their systems have not yet been updated and they cannot book me earlier than the date I have. Am I able to try and get an appointment in England? This is becoming a nightmare. I've been trying since Friday and keep being told that the Welsh systems have not been updated yet and to call back next day.'

Thanks very much, Mark, and I would like to remind your constituent that, actually, the travel advice from the Welsh Government is don't do it—don't travel abroad. This is not the time to travel abroad, particularly when we have this new variant that we know very little about. So, we obviously are not going to change our whole system to try and fast-track somebody who is going against Welsh Government advice; that probably wouldn't make any sense politically for us. So, I'm afraid your constituent will have to remain in line, as everybody else does, and we will do it on the basis that the JCVI has advised us, that is, in order of of age and vulnerability.

Finally, Gareth Davies.

Thank you very much, Deputy Llywydd, and thank you for your statement this afternoon, Minister. I just want to second Russell George's comments in that I do appreciate that you've got a lot on your plate and you're dealing with a very complex and ever-changing situation, so I do acknowledge that.

So, Minister, do you agree with me that, although we need to be cautious, we don't need to panic? We simply don't know enough about this new variant, but early indications show that fully vaccinated individuals are more likely to experience mild symptoms. Therefore, the best defence we have is to ramp up boosters, and it was only lunchtime today that Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that we should be throwing everything at these booster jabs and it's promising to see that you're sharing the same enthusiasm on a cross-border basis. So, Minister, what steps are you taking to ensure that all care staff are fully vaccinated? Because the latest figures from Public Health Wales show that less than 63 per cent of care staff are fully vaccinated, compared to nearly 80 per cent of health workers. Minister, with visitors to care homes having to show a negative test before they can visit, do you agree that the staff are the most likely infection carriers for the care home residents? Therefore, will you commit to ensuring that booster jabs will be offered and supplied to all care home staff before Christmas? Thank you.

Thanks very much. You're absolutely right; we're being cautious and we're not panicking. That's absolutely where the Welsh Government is at the moment. We are ramping up our vaccination approach and all care staff should have been offered the vaccine by now. So, obviously, sometimes, people are not in the right place at the right time and so we just need to keep going back at them and to make sure that they are taking up that opportunity. But just to point out that, irrespective of whether they've had the booster, they of course will be requested to take regular tests because they're working in a very vulnerable environment.

Thank you, Minister. We will now suspend proceedings to allow changeovers in the Chamber. Please remember, if you're leaving the Chamber, please do so promptly. The bell will be rung two minutes before proceedings restart. Any Members who are arriving after a changeover should wait until then before entering the Chamber.

Plenary was suspended at 16:19. 

The Senedd reconvened at 16:28, with the Deputy Presiding Officer in the Chair.