(Title Image: Sky News)
New coronavirus restrictions expected to last until February 2021
Wales is set to remain under Tier Four “lockdown-like” conditions until February 2021 following a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic caused by a mutated version of the virus, which emerged in the UK during December 2020.
Barring further announcements, schools are set to remain closed – with teaching undertaken remotely – until after the February 2021 half-term. Schools and colleges will remain open to the children of key workers as well as vulnerable pupils.
Slow Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in Wales criticised
The speed upon which the Covid-19 vaccine is being rolled out in Wales has come under criticism, prompting the Welsh Government to announce a new vaccination strategy.
Under the strategy, all eligible adults in Wales will be offered the vaccination by autumn 2021, while it’s expected all over-50s and adults with underlying health conditions will receive the first dose by the spring. Additionally, all households in Wales are being sent vaccination information by post.
Despite the criticism, the numbers receiving their first dose of the vaccine have sharply increased over the last few days, with mass vaccination centres opening around the country.
Protest following the death of a man held in police custody
Protests have been held outside Cardiff Bay police station after 24-year-old Mohamud Mohammed Hassan died after being released from police custody, prompting continued debate over the treatment of people of colour by the police as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Mr Hassan was arrested for breach of the peace on 8th January 2021 and was released the following day with multiple injuries. He subsequently died at home.
Protestors are demanding that bodycam footage is released, but South Wales Police say that the footage can’t be released until after the Independent Office of Police Conduct has undertaken an investigation.
UK and EU agree last-minute post-Brexit deal
On December 24th 2020, the UK and EU agreed to a long-term Brexit deal, which will ensure that tariffs are not applied to goods moving between the two. Additionally, there was an agreement to cooperate on security, environmental and fisheries policies.
However, customs declarations and checks will be required – including between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Tariffs will also be applied to trade in services, while the UK will withdraw from several EU programmes, most notably the Erasmus student exchange scheme.
The Senedd was recalled on 30th December 2020 and voted to approve a non-commital motion noting the agreement by 28 votes to 24.
A summary of the main terms and conditions of the deal is at State of Wales.
Delayed count expected for Senedd 2021 election as speculation over postponement mounts
Counting of votes in the 2021 Senedd election is expected to take place on Friday 7th May 2021 instead of the traditional overnight count due to Covid-19 restrictions expected to be in place at the time.
The count could take longer as a result, though the concurrent Police & Crime Commissioner election count was due to take place on Sunday 9th May anyway.
It comes as speculation mounts about a possible postponement of the 2021 elections until the summer or autumn following suggestions the Scottish Parliament and English local elections will be moved.
Senedd authorities are reportedly preparing draft legislation to enable a delay. At present, the election can only be delayed or brought forward unilaterally by the Llywydd by up to a month.