Following yesterday’s announcement of new restrictions on the hospitality sector, Leader of the Opposition, Paul Davies MS (Con, Preseli Pembs.), ran through a list of reactions from within the sector itself – it was unfair to establishments which followed the rules, is a “hammer-blow” and puts those businesses and livelihoods at risk.
Business-owners would rightly be upset, also he didn’t believe there was evidence the hospitality sector was driving an increased Covid-19 rate, or that the Welsh Government sought the sector’s views. There was now a risk people will host house parties instead. If that evidence exists, where is it?
The First Minister noted that despite the efforts of the public and businesses, a public health emergency continues and threatens to put pressure on hospital services. The levels of support offered to the sector is the most generous in the UK – £340million compared to £40million for the whole of England – while hospitality businesses have been closed in England’s Tier 3 areas.
Discussions took place with local authorities, enforcement agencies, unions and the sector itself. There were no easy decisions, but there had to be a balance between protecting the public and businesses.
Adam Price MS (Plaid, Carms. E. & Dinefwr) said his party supported the firebreak on condition that lockdowns were not the default strategy. That firebreak should’ve been stricter, with that missed opportunity leading to yesterday’s announcement. The public backlash is understandable given this was “all stick and no carrot”.
He repeated the request for evidence relating to the decision to be published immediately, as the public might not understand the logic behind the decision; why are some group meetings allowed in certain circumstances, but not others? He would prefer stopping alcohol sales at 7 pm (from this Friday, it’s a blanket ban on non-takeaway alcohol sales) and closing hospitality businesses at 8 pm (from Friday, 6 pm).
The First Minister again argued that Wales’ restrictions were more generous to the sector that England and Scotland. He denied the absence of evidence, pointing members to SAGE publications – which is what the UK/English and Scottish governments based their own decisions around.
There will always be marginal things people can point to and say, “Why’s that allowed when this is not allowed?” This means there will need to be a set of compromises too.
