Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Social distancing rules to apply at work in Wales
WEST communities along the Welsh border will face different laws from their neighbours as of next week when Wales introduces tougher social distancing regulations.
The Welsh Government will introduce a law compelling all employers to make sure their workers keep two metres apart amid the coronavirus pandemic, Wales’ First Minister has said.
Mark Drakeford said the social distancing legislation, the first in the UK, will require bosses to “put the needs of their workforce first” when it comes into force on Monday or Tuesday of next week.
At the Welsh Government’s daily coronavirus briefing yesterday, the First Minister said the new law is in response to people in Wales saying they are fearful their health is being compromised in the workplace.
It means people who live in parts of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire that border Wales will face a different set of rules than those on the other side of the boundary.
Public Health Wales said a further 24 patients have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 141. It also said 345 new cases have tested positive for the disease, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Wales to 2,466.
Mr Drakeford said: “We are going to put into law the two-metre requirement in the workplace, requiring employers to take all reasonable actions to comply with that two-metre rule.
“It’s been advice up until now, and now it’s going to be part of the regulations.
“We will publish fresh guidance alongside the regulations, and the regulations we will pass today will come into force on Monday evening or Tuesday morning.”
He added: “It is simply saying to employers they must put the needs of their workforce first, that their health and wellbeing must be top of their agenda, and the two-metre rule is there to protect that.
“But if they take all reasonable actions and comply with the guidance we’re giving them their business can continue.
“This is not about stopping business from operating, it’s about business operating in a way that is safe for their employees.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said the new law will extend current social distancing laws, which are currently in place for essential food-buying locations such as supermarkets.
Dan Shears, the GMB union’s health, safety and environment director, said: “This is welcome news but as always the devil will be in the detail.”
Mr Drakeford criticised the “confusion” caused by Westminster Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s pledge that the UK will hit 100,000 coronavirus tests per day by the end of the month.
He said: “It’s really important that our colleagues in London, when they’re making announcements, check and check again whether what they’re saying is an announcement for England or it’s an announcement for the UK.”