Welsh Government must provide ‘hope’ to Welsh public over lockdown restrictions say Conservatives

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies has said that the Welsh Government must begin to offer “hope” to the Welsh public with firmer details about when restrictions will be lifted.

The First Minister Mark Drakeford will announce today that stay-at-home restrictions will remain in place in Wales for a further three weeks as the youngest children start returning to school from Monday.

He will also say that they are looking at sending other children back on 15 March and being the reopening of the tourism sector by 2 April.

However, Andrew RT Davies called for “rough timescales” for other businesses such as hospitality so that they could begin thinking about reopening.

“Today, Welsh Conservatives want to see the First Minister outline a roadmap to recovery for people across Wales,” he said.

“From media reports this morning, we understand details will be provided on the return of more children to school, which is a welcome start.

“It’s important ministers provide businesses with a path to reopening, and whilst they will be unable to provide guarantees, rough timescales would be beneficial to many in the retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors who are planning their survival.

“Given the likelihood of continued restrictions on these sectors, we want ministers to confirm that the £650m of extra coronavirus support announced by the UK Government for Wales on Monday, will be used to save Welsh jobs including an extension of the business rates holiday.

“This is a difficult balancing act for governments and politicians of all colours, but with the roaring success of the British vaccination programme, it is important we now start to provide some hope and a map forward for the Welsh public.”