Tougher fines for flouting lockdown
IHOPE you and your families are keeping safe and well at this challenging time.
Thank you very much to everyone that has been in touch with my team and I in recent weeks. We have tried our best to answer your questions and to offer support. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to get in touch with my team and I.
There have been some important developments from Welsh Government in the past week – the publication of an outline strategy on testing and tracing, and a general plan of action on how lockdown restrictions can be gradually lifted.
My response both in the Senedd and in the media, is that there‘s still a lack of detail. I’ll keep pressing for that.
We all hope that we are within weeks of some kind of relaxing of restrictions – it won’t all happen at once, but we can’t have any significant relaxing until we have robust testing and tracing procedures in place.
Businesses and individuals are still finding things very difficult economically, and I’ve continued to have meetings with businesses and organisations across all sectors.
Some businesses are still falling through gaps, unable to find support, and I and my colleagues are trying to bring those problems to the attention of UK and Welsh Government. We need to do everything we can to get people through this.
People are still concerned about visitors to the area, and so am I.
Boris Johnson’s announcement regarding relaxed restrictions last week was largely for England only (and unfortunately he wasn’t making that clear enough).
What he was saying was that there was some more freedom to travel in England, but people were led to believe that meant they could drive within Wales, or even from England into Wales.
That was not the case. Restrictions remain tighter here, with our expected ‘peak’ on Anglesey only now being approached.
We had to go into lockdown quickly (and in fact it should have happened earlier), but we must come out of it very, very cautiously.
Transmission rates of the virus remain close to dangerous levels in many parts of the UK.
I’ve been calling for much sterner fines to be imposed on those undertaking unnecessary journey, perhaps up to £1000. Fines in Wales are less now than they are in England, and that is a mistake by Welsh Government. The police agree with me, and have asked Welsh Government to act.
If you do see activities that are of obvious concern, let the police know, so they can investigate – they don’t have the resources or powers I’d like on this matter, but they’re doing a wonderful job and share our wish for restrictions to be kept tight to protect our population.
As ever, please don’t hesitate to contact my team and I at any point. You can phone my office on 01248 723599 or email me at rhun.apiorwerth@senedd. wales and we will help as best we can.