Plaid Cymru call for extra cash for hospitality ahead of reopening

Plaid Cymru has called for extra cash for hospitality ahead of the reopening of the sector.

The party’s leader Adam Price said that Labour has a “duty to provide extra financial support” after the Welsh Government announced that pubs and restaurants can reopen outdoors on 26 April.

Outdoor attractions can also open from that date, and the Welsh Government says changes will come into force provided coronavirus cases remain low.

Non-essential retail and all other close contact services will also reopen on 12th April, as well as travel between Wales and the rest of the UK.

The announcements come before a planned review from First Minister Mark Drakeford tomorrow, which is being announced on Thursday rather than the usual Friday because of the Easter weekend.

He is also expected to say that gyms can re-open sometime in May, alongside allowing up to 30 people to take part in outdoor sport.

‘Greater certainty’ 

Responding to the latest Welsh Government Coronavirus 3-week review Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price MS said: “The Labour Government must explain why it has taken them so long to provide businesses with greater certainty on when they can expect to reopen. Having been closed for so long, the least they deserve is more time to prepare.

“While this news offers hospitality a glimmer of hope, it will be a while yet before the sector can fully re-open.

“Labour has a duty to provide extra financial support to help those businesses to get back on their feet – increasing the pot of cash that’s available to businesses.

“Time and again, hard-working Welsh businesses that form the backbone of our economy have been let down and left behind by this Labour government – the very least they can do is to dig deep and support key sectors of the Welsh economy.

“Meanwhile, gyms should be able to safely re-open now – not least to help with people’s wellbeing and mental health which has suffered so much during the last few months.”