Virus fears place AMs in isolation
WALES’ health minister has gone into self-isolation.
Vaughan Gething, the Labour minister in charge of health, has done so after his young son developed a cough.
It is one of the symptoms – along with a fever – that people are being urged to self-isolate if they, or family members, show.
Three Welsh Government deputy ministers, Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism; Jane Hutt, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip; and Julie Morgan AM, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services are all also staying at home as all three are over 70.
Government advice changed on Monday night that anyone over 70, anyone with underlying health conditions, and pregnant women in particular should be staying at home for the next 12 weeks.
As health minister Mr Gething has been giving a number of press conferences, and was due to take questions in the Senedd on Tuesday afternoon. It is understood technology is being set up to allow him to dial into the siambr to take part in them.
It brings the number of Assembly Members absent from the Senedd to seven.
Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price has self-isolated after his young son also displayed symptoms.
At a party press conference on Tuesday morning, deputy group leader Sian Gwenllian AM told journalists: “Adam Price is self isolating for 14 days because his son is poorly. It’s nothing to be concerned about. Adam is taking the same precautions that everyone is taking in these.”
Brexit Party group leader Mark Reckless has said he too is staying away after displaying symptoms which he said he was “concerned may be consistent with the virus”.
Welsh National Party AM Neil McEvoy has also said he is working from home because his wife has been ill.
The most recent statement from the Assembly Commission about business continuing was released on Monday and said: “The Assembly Commission is monitoring the Coronavirus situation in Wales closely.
“The Commission has decided that the National Assembly will stop all its public engagement activities from Tuesday 17 March until 26 April at the earliest.
“This includes guided tours, educational visits and any public events at the Senedd and Pierhead buildings on the Assembly estate in Cardiff Bay.
Both buildings will close to the public except for those attending or observing formal meetings of the Assembly and Assembly Committees.
“The Assembly’s regular programme of external activity including staff visits to schools across Wales and community engagement by the Assembly’s committees will also be suspended.
“The Commission also decided to postpone the Senedd’s week of business in the north east later this summer.
“The Assembly’s Business Committee will meet on Tuesday morning to confirm Assembly business for the next two weeks before the Easter recess. Committee business this week includes a special session of the Health Committee with the Health Minister and Chief Medical Officer. Emergency legislation relating to Covid-19 is expected to require full Assembly scrutiny the following week.
“Commissioners also discussed the need to support staff directly and indirectly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and the need to continue to provide relevant guidance to Assembly Members relating to their own staff and offices.
“All Assembly decisions and operations will be reviewed in line with any updated guidance from the Welsh Government.”