Stores in Wales ‘could reopen within a fortnight’

WALES’ Economy Minister has hinted that non-essential shops could reopen in less than two weeks’ time.

Ken Skates said yesterday he would “absolutely” like to see nonessential retail open in Wales on June 22 if coronavirus infections continue to fall.

Guidance is being published for all types of businesses to support the effort to get them opened.

It came as Public Health Wales said a further nine people had died after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of deaths to 1,419, while the total number of cases increased by 38 to 14,518.

Mr Skates also went on to detail the dates of the three next lockdown reviews in Wales and the types of businesses the Welsh Government is hoping to get back working at each one – provided the ‘R’ rate of infection remains below one and the virus is still declining.

Mr Skates said: “It would be a very welcome boost to the economy but it is entirely dependent on the R number and the number of infections.

“This is why the people of Wales

have welcomed the sensible and cautious approach taken by the Welsh Government.

“If we do have that headroom when we consider the June 18 review point, then non-essential retail would be foremost in our minds.”

However, Mr Skates warned businesses not to reopen before they were certain they could make it work because, he said, it would be hard for them to go back into hibernation or access the furlough scheme afterwards.

In the last review, First Minister Mark Drakeford told shops to prepare for possibly re-opening after the next review of lockdown rules, which is due to take place at the end of next week.

Supermarkets, corner shops, banks, pharmacies and petrol stations have been able to remain open during the coronavirus lockdown, but that list could grow in Wales.

This could include shops selling items such as clothes, toys, books and electronics, as well as indoor markets.

Mr Skates said he hoped nonessential retail “took the alert” at the last review, but warned the big challenge for re-opening businesses will be getting people through the doors.

“If businesses don’t have customers, then they are not going to be able to generate revenue and they will not be able to operate, even if they open with generous opening hours and on the terms the same or similar to that we went into coronavirus with,” he said.

“Without public confidence, without public health, there will be no healthy economy in Wales.”

Asked when tourism and hospitality may restart in Wales, Mr Skates said the Welsh Government hopes “to be able to say something positive for that important sector” this summer.

He said Wales was planning to continue relaxing lockdown in one area at a time, provided the rate of spread of the virus continued to slow.