Non-essential shops to reopen – the reaction

First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that all non-essential shops in Wales will be able to reopen on Monday, if they can follow social distancing measures.

The announcement is a major step towards taking Wales out of the coronavirus lockdown, with schools set to reopen on June 29 and the five-mile travel restrictions set to be lifted a week later.

The First Minister has also put the tourism and hospitality industries, as well as hairdressers and beauty salons, pubs, restaurants and cafes on standby to potentially reopen, with social distancing in place, in July.

Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney’s Senedd Member, Dawn Bowden, said: “Due to the great efforts that people have made in recent weeks, the level of infection has reduced and there is now an opportunity to open up more facilities including non-essential retail.

“This will see people spending more money in our shops and help to return important jobs to our high streets.

“We have been asked to stay local for another two weeks but there is now the prospect of a happier summer.”

Caerphilly MS Hefin David said: “The relaxing of further restrictions is welcome, particularly the lifting of the stay local rule on July 6.

“The potential opening of the hair and beauty sector on the 9th is also important. If anyone wants to contact me then my email address is hefin.david@senedd.wales.”

Plaid Cymru’s Senedd Member for South Wales East, Delyth Jewell, said: “The people of Caerphilly have been very disciplined in following the lockdown guidelines, it’s been very tough for many people but it’s now paying off as we’re in a position to ease restrictions.

“I welcome the Welsh Government’s cautious approach but would like to see them planning ahead further to the future in order to give businesses the time to plan by setting out a phased approach for the coming months with caveats in case we see a spike in new cases.

“I hope that people will decide to support local shops if they decide it’s safe for them to visit since many businesses have suffered loss of income, whilst of course adhering to all the social distancing guidelines at all times.”

Meanwhile, South Wales East MS and leader of the Brexit Party in Wales, Mark Reckless, has called for all restrictions currently in place to be lifted.

Welsh Conservative leader Paul Davies said the lifting of restrictions was welcome, but said Welsh Government “could have gone further”.

Mr Davies criticised the five-mile travel rule and called for it to be lifted now, instead of in two weeks time.