Far more testing needed before restrictions ease

IN the middle of another week of lockdown, I start with reference to statements by Boris Johnson and Mark Drakeford in recent days who both said that the Covid19 pandemic peak has now passed.

Whilst any positive news on the coronavirus front is to be welcomed, in Ynys Môn and other places, the peak has not been reached, so the impression must not be given that for all of us, the worst is over. Messages about adhering to lockdown restrictions, to social distancing, to remaining in your primary residence and so on are as important now as they’ve ever been, especially given that a bank holiday is approaching.

The reality is that we will face restrictions for many months to come, and until proven treatments or a vaccine become available, then life simply can’t return to normal.

As Shadow Health Minister for Plaid Cymru, scrutiny of government is focussed on what happens next, and how a ‘new normal’ is reached.

Welsh Government must put a clear plan in place, and testing will be a key element of that. We should have reached 9,000 tests a day in Wales by the end of the last week, but we’re still seeing on well under 2000 tests a day. To start relaxing lockdown restrictions, it needs to set testing targets of tens of thousands of daily tests in our communities in Wales, so we can test, track and isolate cases to beat Covid19. That’s what countries like New Zealand have done in successfully pursuing a virus eradication policy.

We’ll also need a stepped approach as we move forward. The Irish Government has just published a five-phase plan, for example. Italy has begun to ease the longest lockdown in Europe this week, but with many restrictions still in place – including the need to wear facemasks in public places.

But we’re not at a point where we can ease restrictions right now. We need to wait a few more weeks, because places like Ynys Môn haven’t peaked yet, and because everywhere faces the risk of second or subsequent peaks if we get it wrong. We still face a major health challenge.

Stay safe this weekend. Remember that we still have to work together in order for us to have the best possible chance of defeating this virus.

The final word? To all those working hard to help us through this in so many ways... Diolch.

New Zealand’s testing, tracking and isolating efforts were a key to coronavirus eradication. Pictured: Covid 19 testing station in Auckland.