Fire-break backed by most but businesses are nervous
PEOPLE in Swansea have been reacting to the news of the two-week fire-break lockdown.
Swansea has seen high local levels of coronavirus cases. In the city centre yesterday afternoon the majority of people agreed with the new lockdown restrictions.
Julie Mccarthy lives in Morriston, works at a school and believes that the restrictions are a good idea. She even thinks that the lockdown should be extended.
She said: “At the moment it’s creeping up again and something needs to be done.
“I don’t think two weeks will be enough. I think it should be a full month at least. I feel sorry for the shops and bars.
“It’s got to be done otherwise we won’t have any Christmas. To be honest, I don’t think we will have a Christmas with family.”
Oliver Bailey lives in Gower. The 25-year-old believes that we should get the lockdown over and done with.
“I think it is a pretty good thing. I’ve just come back from working at sea and I was on a ship with people with different nationalities.
“It seemed to be that I was the only person allowed off the ship after I finished my contract without any testing. It’s a shame because I think we came out of the last lockdown a bit too early.
“We just need to do it and get it over and done with and we won’t have to go back into it again.
“I know people want to go back to pubs but we either keep doing this on and off thing or we just get it done out of the way for two weeks.
“People aren’t going to be happy about it but people aren’t happy about a lot of things. Hopefully, businesses can get some sort of income from the government.”
Kayleigh Hughes is an assistant manager at Flamingo’s Vintage UK. She’s from Cardiff but works in Swansea.
“I think it is the right thing for Wales going forward. I think if we can have a shorter lockdown rather than that really long period again then I think it would be fantastic if we can nip it in the bud here.
“The company I work for are opening a new business really soon in Swansea so we are hoping that the short sharp lockdown allows us to then have the support we need in the coming weeks when we do open.
“For us, we are lucky that we can go online, but we do understand that’s not the same across the board for everyone.”
She admitted that she hopes it does only last for two weeks.
“I hope it is just the twoweek period as that’s what we have been told, but if it is any longer then it could potentially be devastating for our high street and independent businesses,” she added.
One woman who doesn’t agree with the lockdown is Samantha Rowland.
She is a manager at family-run city centre Berties café, which only opened in February.
The 51-year-old she is devastated.
“No, I don’t think it’s a good thing for Wales, I don’t think it’s going to work,” she said.
“I knew it was coming, I couldn’t look at anyone last week, I just wanted to cry. It’s the not knowing.
“The takings are down and people are afraid to said come out. We have put our heart and soul into this business.
“Unless we get some help, I can’t see any of us lasting longer than two weeks.
“I want to say that we will still be here after the lockdown but we don’t know what’s going to happen.
“My staff are going home at 3pm today because I can’t afford to pay them until 5pm.”
Although Jan Williams believes that the lockdown is the right thing for Wales, she does think that it will be harder this time.
The 60-year-old from Manselton said: “Things aren’t working out the way we all hoped they would.
“People that want to be silly are going to carry on not abiding by the rules but we are all trying to pull together and do what’s best.
“I think it’s harder this time because it’s winter, whereas before people were out in the gardens.
“It’s going to be a bit more difficult. We are just trying to focus on what we can do, not what we can’t.”
Pubs will also be hit by the fire-break lockdown, with the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) warning that we could see a lot of pubs and breweries close their doors.
Camra director for Wales Chris Charters said: “Our pubs, breweries and cider makers are still trying to recover from the first lockdown, and have been operating at reduced trade for months and have invested thousands of pounds of their dwindling reserves to make their premises Covid-secure.
“This announcement of a two-week closure is absolutely devastating news and is a real make or break moment for Welsh beer, cider and pubs.
“Whilst grants from the Welsh Government are welcome and necessary, many fear that they won’t be enough to pay for both fixed costs and their staff wages as the UK Government’s jobs support scheme doesn’t kick in until next month.”
Meanwhile, business leaders voiced their concerns.
Robert Lloyd Griffiths, national director for the Institute of Directors in Wales and the South West, said: “Today’s news is disappointing for businesses the length and breadth of the country but the shortterm pain of a short firebreak is needed for the longer-term benefit of our health and our economy here in Wales.
“We are in constant contact with Welsh Government officials and will update our members on the implications of the First Minister’s announcement as soon as the detail is provided.”
Ian Price, CBI Wales director, said: “Businesses are fully aware that public health must come first and have been doing everything they can to keep staff and customers safe, whether in pubs, shops, or offices. Getting a grip on rising infection rates now can help to maintain confidence and avoid further restrictions in the months ahead.
“While the Welsh Government should rightly be commended for consulting widely before announcing these measures, the temporary lockdown remains a severe setback to businesses, particularly in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors which have suffered so significantly throughout the pandemic.
“Transparency and clarity of messaging are key and businesses remain keen to better understand the strategy for living with Covid-19 through the autumn and winter.
“The UK and Welsh governments have worked extremely hard and already taken decisive steps to support jobs and companies’ cashflow over the past few months, and further ring-fenced business support for our hardest hit sectors is welcome as we enter the crucial winter period.”
Ben Francis, FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) Wales policy chair, said: “Whilst it is disheartening that coronavirus cases have increased to a point at which a firebreaker lockdown in required, we welcome the fact that the Welsh Government have listened to the calls FSB Wales made over the weekend for a package of funding to support businesses through this lockdown.
“To give confidence to businesses at such a difficult time, we urge the UK Government to respond immediately to the Welsh Government’s proposal for Welsh businesses to take early advantage of the Job Support Scheme.
“This is a common sense suggestion by the Welsh Government that could have huge practical benefit for many businesses. Businesses will need to be able to draw this support down to give their workers peace of mind and help pay their wage bills.”
He added: “We were pleased to see the First Minister signal his intention to start planning the process of easing out of lockdown as early as possible. We would urge him to sit down with business organisations as soon as possible to help plan this transition effectively.
“We only have one opportunity to ease out of this lockdown, and so it must be done right, and in a way that helps firms safely take advantage of the opportunity to trade in the run-up to Christmas.
“This is especially important given that losing out on two weeks of trade at this time of year will be incredibly damaging to some firms.
“Finally, we welcome the assurance that this will end on November 9. We asked for that clarity and we are pleased that the First Minister has provided it.
“The next steps must now be to ensure that funding and guidance can be accessed by businesses in the shortest possible time as we all continue to work together to support firms through this incredibly difficult time and keep Wales safe.”
I want to say that we will still be here after the lockdown but we don’t know what’s going to happen
- Samantha Rowland, manager of Berties café
I knowwanttopeoplesaythat want towegowillbackstilltobepubshere butafterwetheeitherlockdown keep doingbutwethisdon’tonknow and offwhat’sthinggoingorweto just gethappen it done out of the way - Samantha for two Rowland,
manager of Berties Cafe weeks
- Oliver Bailey
of those with a dedicated home working space feel more comfortable than in the office are more focused are more relaxed are happier