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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:48 pm on 11 January 2022.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 4:48, 11 January 2022

Thanks very much, John. Of course, we've had countless requests to relax our regulations in relation to spectator sports, and we completely understand that. We're all very keen to see if it is possible to dismantle these before the six nations tournament. Obviously we're going to keep things very closely under review, and if possible, we will do everything we can to see if we can make that happen. Just in terms of spectator sport, obviously I think it does make a difference whether things are being held indoors or outdoors, so I think that is something we need to consider. On parkruns, I just think it is probably worth noting that there are plenty of people doing parkruns. This is a particular event, which is an international organisation. They have a way of doing things. We have suggested to them, 'Why don't you just break these people up into groups of 50? Then you could actually do it', but the organisers haven't wanted to do things in that way. So, we've given them that option, but they're the people who've decided that they don't want to do it in that way. So, I think there has got to be a bit of give and take here, because the flexibility is there, if they wanted to take advantage of that. I think you're right, John, we've all made our new year's resolutions, we've all said that we're all going to get fitter, we're going to eat better and all of those things that we all promise to do at the beginning of the year. I am sure that, in those options that have been requested by the First Minister, that option of easing restrictions on outdoor sporting events is likely to be one of the first contenders.