First Minister delighted to sit down to a plate of chips
FIRST Minister Mark Drakeford visited Page’s Fish and Chips restaurant in Cwmbran to mark the first day restaurants and pubs have been able to open indoors in Wales.
Mr Drakeford said after his visit yesterday: “I’ve been looking forward to eating inside Page’s restaurant today, and I’m glad to say the chips did not disappoint!
“John and his team have done an excellent job in putting safety measures in place to protect their customers and staff.
“I’ve been so impressed with all of the businesses across Wales who have shown care and resilience and adapted in these strange times. I know it has not been easy.
“The careful and cautious approach we have taken in Wales, which has been carried out by people who have put their communities front and centre, means coronavirus cases continue to fall here in Wales.
“I’m asking everyone to continue in the same spirit – carefully and cautiously.
“When you go and enjoy some of the things that are now open and that you have been missing, like eating in your favourite local restaurant, keep yourself and others safe by washing your hands regularly and keeping a two-metre distance.”
Page’s Fish and Chips restaurant owner John Page said: “I was delighted to welcome the First Minister on our reopening day and give my support for his measures throughout Covid. Under Covid, we had to adapt. As soon as we got told restaurants were closing we kept our takeaway open and started doing home deliveries, which have been very popular. We now have a number of delivery vehicles and we intend to keep deliveries going as well as running our busy takeaway and restaurant.”
The latest relaxation in lockdown rules now means . . .
Up to 30 people can now meet outdoors. Physical distancing must be maintained at all times. (Previously only two households or two extended households could meet.)
Pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes have re-opened indoors. As will indoor bowling alleys, auction houses and bingo halls.
Licensed wedding venues will be able to re-open to provide wedding ceremonies. However, indoor receptions will not be able to take place for the time being – they will be considered as part of the changes for August 15.
The guidance is being updated to relax the position on children under 11 having to maintain a twometre distance from each other or from adults. This reflects the scientific evidence, which shows the risk of transmission is lower among this age group. However, it is very important older children and young adults continue to follow social distancing and the other measures to keep them safe.
The law in Wales will continue to make the two-metre distance the default position, because this remains the safest way to protect people’s health. But when two metres cannot reasonably be maintained, the regulations will require firms to put in place a set of additional measures to minimise the risk of the virus spreading, including taking steps to minimise face-to-face contact and maintain high hygiene standards.