NDM7501 Debate: New Coronavirus Restrictions

NDM7501 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes:

a) the increase in the seven-day rolling incidence rate of coronavirus cases across Wales;

b) the statement by the First Minister on 1 December which set out new national measures to protect public health and reduce the spread of coronavirus; and

c) the £340m package of business support to be made available through the Economic Resilience Fund to support businesses affected by the new national measures.

The following amendments were tabled:

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii), amendment 1 tabled to the motion was not selected.

Amendment 2 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

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.

Amendment 3 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

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.

Amendment 4 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

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.

Amendment 5 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

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

Amendment 6 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

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

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii), amendments 7, 8 and 9 tabled to the motion were not selected.

Amendment 10 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

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.

Amendment 11 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

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.

Amendment 12 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

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.

Amendment 13 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

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

Amendment 14 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

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.

Amendment 15 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

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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.

Amendment 16 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

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.

Amendment 17 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

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.