The next item, therefore, is the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 10) Regulations 2022. I call on the Minister for Health and Social Services to move the motion—Eluned Morgan.

Motion NDM8001 Lesley Griffiths

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 10) Regulations 2022 laid in the Table Office on 6 May 2022.

Motion moved.

Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I move the motion before us. Since the 14 April review, we've been reviewing the health data very closely to monitor any rise in figures due to an increase in social mixing over the Easter holidays. I'm pleased to announce that COVID-related hospitalisations have decreased over recent weeks. The latest results from the ONS coronavirus infection survey suggest that one in 35 people in Wales had COVID-19 for the week up to the 7 May survey. 

Before us today are the latest amendment regulations, the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 10) Regulations 2022. The last review took place on 5 May, and the coronavirus situation is consistent with the COVID-stable scenario described in our transition plan, 'Together for a safer future'. In line with the latest public health advice, and evidence from the chief medical officer and technical advisory cell, we have decided to retain the legal restriction to require face coverings in indoor public areas of health and social care settings for another three weeks. 

As well as this legal requirement to wear a facial covering in public areas within health and social care settings, the current guidance for preventing COVID-19 infection also advises strongly that staff should continue to wear gloves, masks and aprons when providing personal care directly. Eye equipment should also be worn when providing personal care to people if COVID-19 has been confirmed in these individuals, or is suspected. This guidance provides a bridge between a COVID-specific approach and a wider approach of controlling respiratory viruses. This will ensure that we continue to protect the most vulnerable people in our society.

Our guidelines will continue to advise strongly that people should wear facial coverings in busy or enclosed areas, and this is part of our series of stronger advice for public health. These and other measures could work together to help to prevent and decrease the transmission of COVID, and this will keep us all safe. With a safe method of keeping each other safe and ensuring that as many as possible of those who are eligible are vaccinated, we can all, hopefully, feel optimistic about the spring and beyond, even though we will, of course, continue to be vigilant of new variants that will arise.

Thank you for your update this afternoon, Minister. I am, of course, pleased to hear that hospitalisations are decreasing as well. We, as Welsh Conservatives, won't be supporting this regulation this afternoon, as we believe that the extension of this regulation and legislation is not required. If you do believe that it's appropriate for face coverings to be worn in health and social care settings, this could've been issued via guidance, rather than extending the regulation.

I didn't intend to speak, because I'm certainly happy to support this regulation, but I want to respond to the comment made by the health spokesperson of the Conservatives. I think it is completely sensible to use legislation in this restricted way. We see around us, even in this Chamber, how the use of face masks is changing and developing and is organic, and people make decisions about wearing face coverings depending on the situation around them. But when we're talking about health and care settings, where the most vulnerable people are, and where they have to go, it makes perfect sense to me that we use this means for the next period of time and for the very clear reason, to me, and therefore we are happy to approve this regulation.

The health Minister to reply. 

Diolch yn fawr. Well, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales has been supportive of this point. I think he supports this move because he believes that, whilst the rates are still very high—so, one in 35 is still reasonably high, and, of course, this measure was taken when we were at a point when it was about one in 20, which was very high, in the community—then he is very keen to make sure that we protect the most vulnerable. Of course, we'll assess when it will be appropriate to switch between a legal framework and very strong guidance, and that will be something, of course, we will continue to keep under review. But under these circumstances and the circumstances in which we took these decisions, I would hope that people would support our position in trying to protect the most vulnerable at this very important stage when cases are very, very high in our community.

The proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? [Objection.] Yes, there is objection. Therefore, we will defer voting until voting time. 

Voting deferred until voting time.

And we now reach voting time and we'll take a short break to prepare for the vote.

Plenary was suspended at 17:33.

The Senedd reconvened at 17:36, with the Llywydd in the Chair.