National Assembly for Wales

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Does not believe that a Wales-wide approach is proportionate given that COVID-19 is circulating at different rates in different parts of the country.

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Believes that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the Welsh Government’s current restrictions on the sale of alcohol in public houses, cafes and restaurants are proportionate.

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Believes that the financial support available to businesses affected by the restrictions is insufficient, especially when firms have spent vast sums on ensuring their premises are COVID secure for staff and customers.

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Calls upon the Welsh Government to publish the evidence on which it based its decision to close indoor entertainment venues.

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Further calls upon the Welsh Government to make sufficient financial support available to businesses in a timely manner.

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Notes that, in respect of the recent coronavirus restrictions imposed by the Welsh Government on pubs, restaurants and hospitality outlets, press reports state that:

a) the chief executive of the largest Welsh-owned brewery, S.A. Brains, described them as "insulting" and "a huge slap in the face" for the sector, and called on politicians to "stop changing their mind" on what is required; and

b) the Welsh Independent Restaurant Collective described them as "a body blow to those who have worked so hard to make hospitality safe and survive the last nine months".

BBC News - Covid: Brains to close more than 100 pubs due to Wales' alcohol rules - 2 December 2020

South Wales Argus - Alcohol ban & 6pm rule in pubs & restaurants a 'body blow' - 30 November 2020 

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Calls on the Welsh Government to appoint medical practitioners and medical and public health scientists who have signed the Great Barrington Declaration to its technical advisory cell with immediate effect.

Great Barrington Declaration

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Notes that the Welsh Government is asserting that there is an increase in the seven-day rolling incidence rate of coronavirus cases across Wales after their national coronavirus firebreak lockdown was completed on 9 November 2020.

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Regrets:

a) that the Welsh Government has pursued a course of action based on very limited evidence of the situation in Wales;

b) that the restrictions will have a very limited impact upon infection rates in Wales;

c) that these restrictions will have a lasting impact on jobs and livelihoods and will cause lasting damage to the hospitality sector in Wales.

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To propose that the Senedd:

1. Believes that the new coronavirus restrictions are disproportionate and damaging to businesses and livelihoods across Wales.

2. Believes that the financial support available to those affected by the new restrictions is insufficient, and will see the loss of many jobs and businesses. 

3. Regrets that the Welsh Government has consistently taken a different COVID-19 approach from the UK Government.

4. Believes the most successful COVID-19 strategy to have in Wales is a united, UK response, led by the UK Government.

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Agrees that, whilst hospitality venues can remain open, they should not be subject to a complete ban on the sale of alcohol as currently set out in regulations which came into force on 4 December.

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Agrees that the cut-off time on the sale of alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences should be consistent with the cut-off time imposed on hospitality venues.

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Agrees that hospitality venues should be allowed to stay open until 8pm.

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Calls on the Welsh Government to outline:

a) the specific objectives it hopes the new national restrictions outlined in the First Minister’s statement to the Senedd on 1 December will achieve; and

b) what the threshold will be for relaxing those measures.

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Agrees that the latest Welsh Government technical advisory cell advice, together with all data supporting the policy decisions taken, should be published alongside or prior to any announcement on further national coronavirus restrictions.

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Agrees that the Welsh Government should adopt a presumption in favour of holding a meaningful vote in the Senedd to precede the coming into effect of any further national coronavirus restrictions of the magnitude outlined in the First Minister’s statement to the Senedd on 1 December.

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Calls on the Welsh Government to afford the opportunity for opposition parties to make reasonable requests for independent modelling by the technical advisory cell on alternative proposals in relation to matters such as the closure of the hospitality sector and other non-pharmaceutical interventions.