After two months of restrictions, the United Kingdom Government recently announced measures to ease the lockdown in England.
The UK Government’s strategy offers and sets out a clear vision for the future.
In contrast, the Welsh Government has produced a document that is vague and offers little clarity for the people of Wales.
Instead of outlining a clear timetable for the easing of restrictions, it lacks the detail vital to provide the confidence that people and businesses desperately require.
By not working in collaboration with the rest of the UK to develop a clear, consistent approach in easing restrictions, the Welsh Government has chosen to indulge in party political point scoring.
The result has been confusion about what can and cannot be done, particularly for constituents in South East Wales living in close proximity to the border.
In England, people are allowed to meet one person from another household outdoors, if you remain two metres apart.
Households can also drive any distance to destinations such as parks and beaches.
However, they cannot travel to Wales, even if the border is but a short distance away.
People in Wales are confused and dismayed that what is permitted in England is not allowed in Wales. Confusion the Welsh Government has added to by saying the five mile limit on travel is not a regulation but a suggestion.
Coronavirus does not respect borders.
But the Welsh Government appears to have a fixation with the border.
This difference of approach is most clearly exposed in their approach to the housing market.
Their strategy document only contains a pledge to consult on guidance in relation to housing and construction.
In England, estate agents, removal firms and surveyors are among the essential housing industry services given the green light to head back to work.
Buyers and renters are allowed to move home and estate agents can now reopen with strict social distancing guidelines in place.
In addition, new home developers can reopen show homes, while local councils have been encouraged to support extended working hours at construction sites for the extra time it takes to implement safe social distancing measures.
The resumption of work will play a major part in helping the economy recover as well as delivering the houses they need.
In Wales, the housing market remains shut.
Clear, sector specific guidance is essential to ensure adherence to current social distancing and hygiene guidelines if restrictions on shops and services are to be lifted in a controlled manner that prioritises activities and services having the lowest risk of transmission.
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I’m guessing this done Tory halfwit? If he doesn’t like it here then he’s free to hop over the border to England any time he likes; we’re not stopping him from leaving.
I think the Welsh government is totally right to do things differently to the English, I may not agree with everything they do, but, they are doing it on a more local level than Westminster who Seem to be totally guided by the figures in London.
Time will tell, if this virus makes a comeback due to lifting restrictions too early, and we have to go through another 8 week lockdown then would we all be happy? Anyway the UK Government advice isn’t exactly easy to understand, ask Dominic Cummings!
The rush to ease lockdown is the result of public anger over ‘Cummings-gate’, with HM government trying to make light of his actions. With the ‘R’ number 1 or just above in some parts of England, WAG is doing the right thing.