Coronavirus: Lockdown extended in Wales with very little change

Wales’ coronavirus lockdown has been extended for a further three weeks, with very little changing.

First Minister Mark Drakeford announced a slight relaxation around exercise rules and that garden centres could reopen from Monday, but there was no major change.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to announce an update on Sunday and there had been widespread speculation a major relaxation of the lockdown was on the cards.

Because of devolution, whatever changes the PM makes only apply to England.

Professor Drakeford acknowledged the loss families have suffered and said Wales had pulled together to reduce the speed and spread of the virus.

He said: “The virus remains a very serious threat to us all and we cannot be complacent in any way. For that reason, the stay-at-home regulations will remain in place in Wales.

“Our preference remains a four-nation response to coming out of lock-down, and we remain in consultation with all parts of the UK. Our duty is to the people of Wales, and our decisions will be based on the evidence and specific circumstances of Wales.”

What are the changes?

The lockdown rules in Wales remain largely unchanged to what they were when they were first introduced in March.

There is also a legal requirement for employers to ensure their staff are at least two-metres apart. The Welsh Government preference is however for people to work from home if they can.

The minor changes, coming into effect on Monday, are:

• Allowing people to exercise more than once a day, but people should stay local. This means any exercise should start and end at home and not involve going a significant distance from home.
• Enabling local authorities to begin the process of planning how to safely reopen libraries and municipal recycling centres.
• Allowing garden centres to open provided they comply with the physical distancing duty.

Caerphilly Observer has asked the Welsh Government for its thinking for allowing garden centres and libraries to open.

The reopening of recycling centres comes after concerns that fly-tipping is on the rise.

However, Christina Harrhy, the chief executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council, has said these will not be reopening immediately.

Why are the rules different in Wales?

Each of the four nations of the United Kingdom have various powers devolved to them.

As a consequence of this, the Welsh Government is responsible for public health and has brought in a piece of legislation called The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020.

This means that Wales, and Wales alone, has the power to vary its lockdown rules – regardless of what the UK and other governments do. These rules need to be reviewed every three weeks.

It is a similar situation for education, which is also devolved. The Welsh Government has confirmed that schools are not returning in June.

In practice, the four nations have broadly followed one another together but there have been reports of growing frustration this joint approach is no longer working.

By announcing its lockdown extension first, followed very quickly by Scotland, the Welsh Government is seeking to send a clear message to the Welsh people ahead of the Prime Minister’s announcement.

It also puts pressure on Boris Johnson to keep England aligned and not to ease restrictions – something the national press had been reporting would happen.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price MS said he welcomed the “cautious approach” adopted by the First Minister.

He said any relaxation in England by Mr Johnson would “completely undermine” the approach here and could have a “potentially disastrous impact” on Wales.