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Andrew RT Davies slams ‘drip, drip’ of new Omicron restrictions by Welsh Government

21 Dec 2021 3 minute read
Andrew RT Davies

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has criticised the “drip, drip” of new restrictions announced by the Welsh Government in the run-up to Christmas.

First Minister Mark Drakeford had previously stuck to a three week period of reviewing restrictions on Covid-19, but due to the emergence of the more transmissible Omicron variant announced changes both on Friday and today.

Andrew RT Davies conceded that it was a “fast-moving” situation and a “difficult situation for decision-makers” but that a number of announcements spread over many days “is no way to do things”.

“The drip, drip effect of the rumour mill is unhelpful and unsettling to many, particularly at such an important time of year for families across the country,” he said.

“The last review by Labour was only on Friday and families, workers, businesses and organisations deserve clear communication from governments of all colours ahead of the Christmas and New Year period – not poorly timed releases that sets social media racing.

“Welsh Conservatives remain of the belief that the imposition of restrictions must be based on the strongest possible data, and as a last resort to protect the NHS.

“Any businesses and sporting organisations hit by these new restrictions must receive full financial support from Labour ministers to cover any losses.”

‘Inevitable’

In a press conference on Friday, Mark Drakeford announced that new restrictions would be introduced on 27 December.

This will include a 2-metre rule on social distancing in offices and putting extra measures in place to protect customers and staff, such as one-way systems and physical barriers. Nightclubs will also close.

Today, the Welsh Government said that sporting events will be played behind closed doors from Boxing Day in Wales to help control the spread of the new omicron variant.

The Firts Minister said over the weekend that some extra restrictions on hospitality are “inevitable” after Christmas, the First Minister has said.

Mark Drakeford told Politics Wales they would be looking at the same sorts of measures that were in existence during previous waves of the pandemic.

“We will be working this week on the rules about how hospitality will reopen after Christmas,” he said.

“I think it’s inevitable that when hospitality reopens we will need to build some extra defences into the way they operate otherwise people won’t turn up there. That’s the thing to remember – the reason we’re doing this is for business reasons as well as health reasons.

“It’s normally as it has been for other settings looking back to the sorts of measures we had earlier in the pandemic. So people will remember, not so long ago, that if you went to a restaurant your details were collected so they could be used for track and trace. That you ordered from where you say, that you wore a mask when you moved around, not when you’re eating and drinking. If you were moving around the restaurant, you wore a mask when you were moving around.”


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Andrew
Andrew
2 years ago

RT Davies.The drip that never dropped.

GarethW
GarethW
2 years ago

The Anti Everything party have spoken again, RT Davies the drip !

Ann
Ann
2 years ago

At least Llywodraeth Cymru ARE doing something, unlike the UK Governmant who are just sitting on their hands and hoping it will all go away!

Geraint
Geraint
2 years ago
Reply to  Ann

Dithering Boris. Frightened to make a decision incase he upsets more of his MPs that voted against the last set of Public Health measures that were passed recently.

Barry Pandy
Barry Pandy
2 years ago

It begs the question: what would HE do? Answer: probably just copy his master in Westminster.

j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  Barry Pandy

Lock up yer daughters, then!

***** But Nadolig Hapus!! *****

Gareth
Gareth
2 years ago

The man has to find something to complain about. Look at the state of the Tory party, mired in sleaze and corruption in England, and my Tory MP, cashed his car at 1am and was arrested, the police said he was driving “whilst unfit”. I wonder if he had been to work meeting that day.

Mick Tems
Mick Tems
2 years ago

RT Davies is looking more like a beetroot every second….

Notta Bott
Notta Bott
2 years ago

That is until his masters do the same in Jan and then he has to back pedal and say something about a strong opposition in the Senedd. Can’t wait for him to lose his seatm, Wales is better off with opposition who care about Wales.

Grayham Jones
2 years ago

Kick all English party’s out of wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 start fighting for your children and grandchildren future in wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 kick all English party’s out of wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 it’s time for a new wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
2 years ago

There’s no point in listening to Davies, he’s not saying things out of concern, just in an effort to gain more votes in the future.

Richard
Richard
2 years ago

ARTD gives an altetnate point of view shared by many in our nation – im sure. Standing almost alone in calling the WG to account must be a telling and lonley role….as leader of the Senedd Opposition. Those who dont share his huge range of views or opinions may well best serve their cause by countering his ideas with facts and evidence. At this time of a Unity Gvt commanding a two thirds Senedd majority – Wales needs this John the Baptist figure urging us to repent and mend our ways. I only hope he doesnt share Johns’ fate but… Read more »

Jeff Williams-Jones
Jeff Williams-Jones
2 years ago
Reply to  Richard

I do hope you’re being ironic, Richard.

Richard
Richard
2 years ago

You might think that but I couldn’t possibly comment

Phil
Phil
2 years ago
Reply to  Richard

I think your medication is beginning to wear off … Call the nurse, he’s becoming delusional!

Richard
Richard
2 years ago
Reply to  Phil

I’m afraid my nurse is off on fighting Covid 🦠my friend – I’m a hopeless case – might I respectfully suggest you ask Siôn Corn for a good set of humour books..😂 to lighten the few weeks of 🔐 down were entering 🤣

Last edited 2 years ago by Richard

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