1. Statement by the First Minister: Update on COVID-19

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:19 pm on 22 December 2021.

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Photo of Hefin David Hefin David Labour 2:19, 22 December 2021

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. It's worth noting that the fixed-penalty notices were first voted on in early 2020 in the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2020, section 21, and there's no party in this Chamber that didn't support them at the time, so it is a significant issue there. However, at the time, they applied to everyone, because everyone was at a stay-at-home duty in law, whereas now they only apply to employers and employees in these circumstances, so there's a slight change there. So, I'd like to ask the First Minister—. I've had much correspondence from people who are worried about inadvertently breaking the law and being criminalised. What would he say to someone who has written to me with those concerns, that they don't quite understand the 'reasonable excuse' measure? How can they understand that and take the appropriate measures for working from home? 

And finally, two practical questions: are driving tests able to continue and driving lessons able to continue, and close-contact services continue as normal? And are opening hours for licensed premises continuing as normal? Thank you.