New hope for Easter but caution needed

YESTERDAY the First Minister made some cautiously optimistic comments about the possibility of relaxing some lockdown rules from Easter, giving those in the tourism and hospitality industries hope that a way back to some kind of normality is in the offing.

This follows good news about a drop in the rate of infections and the efficient rollout of vaccinations.

It’s understandable that people in these sectors are extremely anxious to reopen for business. All of them have had a torrid time over the past year. While the public sector has gone some way to compensate them for their losses, in some cases the disappearance of revenue has been too much and they have reluctantly ceased trading for good.

We must not underestimate the impact such decisions have had on those who have sunk their savings into a new venture, only to see it destroyed because of the pandemic. Many long-established businesses have also gone under, while others are just about clinging on, hoping that trading restrictions will soon be relaxed.

Mark Drakeford is, however, right to urge caution. The infection rate may have come down to a much lower level than it was at its peak, but there is no room for complacency, and experience has shown over the past year that gains can soon be lost if regulations are relaxed too early.

Nevertheless, the impressive way in which the vaccination programme is being rolled out makes it reasonable to believe that better times may be approaching.

Those in the tourism and hospitality industries deserve to be kept fully informed by the Welsh Government about the timing of plans to relax the restrictions that have been placed upon them. Some businesses would be able to reopen overnight, but for most some forward planning will be necessary.

We hope very much that when the current lockdown ends, we will be able to return to some form of lasting normality.

Those who have lost loved ones have most reason to grieve at the suffering Covid-19 has brought.

All of us have had to endure significant disruption to our normal routines, with varying impacts on our physical and mental wellbeing.

Things will be better when we can go to a cafe or a pub and enjoy a simple drink with friends.

Let’s hope – with all caveats permitting – that Easter will mark a welcome turning point in the return to the kind of lives we enjoy living.