Fears of ‘mixed messages’ over lockdown plans Graffiti artist in tribute to NHS heroes and VE Day
SIGNS of tensions between the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland with their UK Government counterparts emerged yesterday as speculation over how the lockdown measures may be lifted grew.
The Welsh Government warned that speculation on how the lockdown restrictions may be lifted in England risked sending “mixed messages” to people in other parts of the UK.
Its statement followed reports Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to map out his plan for easing the restrictions that have been in place since March 23 on Sunday evening, amid media reports that pub and cafe gardens could be allowed to reopen and restrictions on sunbathing and playing outdoor sports relaxed.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has responsibility for Wales’ exit strategy, however, and the Welsh Government said he would announce the outcome of the Welsh Cabinet’s discussions on the lockdown “in due course”.
“It is crucially important that the people of Wales are informed clearly and accurately about what, if any, changes are made to the current stayat-home restrictions,” a Welsh Government spokesman said.
Mr Johnson said he will act with “maximum caution” in easing the coronavirus lockdown.
Downing Street insisted the Prime Minister would be announcing only a “very limited” easing of the social distancing rules when he sets out his “road map” for the way forward in an address to the nation on Sunday.
However, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued a warning that she would not be “pressured” by the Government at Westminster into easing restrictions “prematurely” in Scotland.
The Welsh Government met yesterday morning and was due to meet again yesterday evening to discuss the restrictions which are now in their seventh week.
“The First Minister of Wales will announce the outcome of the Cabinet’s decision in due course,” said the spokesman.
He said the message for the bank holiday weekend remained to “stay home, protect the NHS, save lives”.
Public Health Wales said yesterday that a total of 1,062 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, an increase of 18 on Wednesday.
A further 87 people tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the number to 10,851.
MP Liz Saville Roberts, the Westminster leader of Plaid Cymru, said she had emphasised to Mr Johnson that any changes to lockdown must be agreed by the four UK nations.
She spoke to the Prime Minister during a cross-party telephone conference at 12.30pm yesterday. “I emphasised to Boris Johnson that if his commitment to the four nations of the UK is to mean anything, the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish governments must agree to any changes to the current approach,” she said.
“The current lack of clarity is leading to huge anxiety and potential issues of people believing changes are being made ahead of this bank holiday weekend when they are not.”
Ms Saville Roberts stressed that it is a “national emergency” and not a national holiday, adding that Mr Johnson must resist the urge to move too quickly on lifting lockdown measures.
Mr Johnson spoke to the first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, yesterday afternoon.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the call reflected the UK Government’s commitment to working “in consultation” with the devolved administrations.
“During the call, the Prime Minister emphasised that this is a critical moment in the fight against coronavirus and that the Government will not throw away the efforts and sacrifices of the British people,” she said.
“He was clear that we will not risk a second peak that could overwhelm the NHS, and we will act with maximum caution to save lives.
“He reiterated his commitment to continuing our UK-wide approach to tackling coronavirus, even if different parts of the UK begin to move at slightly different speeds.
“Those decisions will be made based on the science for each nation.”
On Wednesday, Mr Drakeford warned that the crisis in Wales was “certainly not over” despite encouraging signs.
He told the Senedd the rate of spread in Wales remained “close to the level that could put us back in danger”.
Ms Sturgeon told a news conference at the Scottish Government headquarters in Edinburgh yesterday that any weakening of the strong “stay home” message to the public would be a “potentially catastrophic mistake”.
“If the Prime Minister decides that he wants to move at a faster pace for England than I consider is right for Scotland, that is his right, I will respect that and I will not criticise him for doing that,” she said.
“I will not be pressured into lifting restrictions prematurely before I am as certain as I can be that we will not be risking a resurgence of infection rates.”
Earlier, there was embarrassment for ministers after it emerged a consignment of 400,000 gowns for medical staff from Turkey had been impounded because they did not meet UK standards.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick had hailed the promised arrival of the kit at a No 10 news conference last month at a time ministers were under intense pressure over shortages of personal protective equipment.
Following a series of delays, an RAF transport aircraft was dispatched to Turkey to collect it but the UK Government has confirmed that it remains at warehouse at Heathrow.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said that if the supplier could not provide gowns to the standard required, a refund would be sought.
“An initial deposit was paid and the NHS is in discussions with the supplier over whether replacement gowns can be manufactured to meet our standards,” the spokesman said .
“If this is not possible, a refund will be sought.”
However NHS Wales boss Dr Andrew Goodall confirmed yesterday that there have not been any issues with recent deliveries in Wales.
A TIMELY and inspirational mural has appeared on the side of a Valleys pub – honouring both NHS workers and VE Day, writes Katie-Ann Gupwell.
Images of the artwork started circulating on social media on Wednesday when it appeared on the side of Morgan Wayne Constitutional Club in Trehafod, near Pontypridd.
The pub has now had a colourful transformation, with an exterior wall of the Fountain Street building hosting the eye-catching artwork.
It was created to mark both the importance of VE Day – as the nation marks the 75th anniversary of “Victory in Europe” – and the key workers working tirelessly to help us through the coronavirus pandemic.
It shows a soldier and a healthcare worker standing side by side, facing their respective enemies.
The soldier looks ahead while the modern-day hero – the key worker – comes face to face with the coronavirus, both poised to fight their respective battles.
The painter behind the piece, Tom Llewellyn, is a graffiti artist who also goes by the monicker Tee2Sugars.
For the 30-year-old, who lives in Merthyr, it’s the latest project to gain wide attention, after creating a number of pieces locally in recent months.
He told the Echo: “The brief was something to commemorate war veterans and then the NHS key workers: the Army man against his enemy and then we have the NHS nurse fighting her enemy, which is the virus.
“It’s that little twist – the fights we have been in and the sort of war we are in now.”
The artist explained it’s something he’s been wanting to do as he’s done a lot of work in Trehafod.
He also painted the mural on the side of Barry Sidings Cafe, in Pontypridd, which was created to support the NHS in aid of the stay at home campaign.
“The people of Trehafod – they’ve been brilliant,” he said. “They are all really kind to me, and think a lot of my artwork and things.
“People in the streets – they have been coming on their daily walks to see it asking if they can post it on social media.”
He said this particular piece took him around a day and a half to complete.
He kept working until around 9.30pm on Wednesday when the piece was finally complete and he was happy for it to be shared with the world.
As he talked about how much his work has been appreciated in the area, he quipped: “I think I’ll be painting all the buildings around here! It’s been great.”
To find out more about Tee2Sugars, and the work he does, visit his Facebook page. You can also find him on Instagram.