Big Covid changes in Wales involving hospitality, large household gatherings and events.
From Boxing Day, the alert level two measures will mean:
- The rule of six will apply to gatherings in regulated premises, such as hospitality, cinemas and theatres.
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- A general requirement of 2m social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces, where reasonable.
- All licensed premises will need to take additional measures to protect customers and staff, including table service and collecting contact details.
- Face coverings will be required in hospitality settings at all times apart from when seated.
- Large events will not be allowed indoors or outdoors. The maximum number of people who can gather at an indoor event will be 30 and 50 outdoors.
- There will be an exception for team sports, up to 50 spectators will be able to gather, in addition to those taking part. There is also an exception for events involving children. (This appears to be a change from earlier announcement)
- There will be a separate offence for large gatherings involving more than 30 people indoors or 50 people outdoors in private homes and gardens.
Looks like no big New Years house parties.
Nightclubs will now have to close on Boxing Day as opposed to the 27th.
This comes as Wales sees one of the largest ever increases in Covid cases.
More drama around the Welsh Government rules that mean people can potentially be fined for not working from home.
Basically there are questions around if the Welsh Parliament have even voted on these rules.
This is going to be a little bit technical but stay with me..
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Yesterday the news broke that the Welsh Government had brought in rules that allowed employees to be fined £60 for not working from home when they were reasonably able to do so.
Employers could face up to £10,000 for not letting workers WFH where possible.
When asked about it today Mark Drakeford called it "unhelpful reporting” and that the threat of fines would actually help protect workers from unscrupulous employers.
There are two immensely frustrating and annoying issues with Mark Drakeford's latest press conference and announcement.
Namely, a lack of data and misleading statements.
Let me explain:
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First let's talk about his speech and the statement put out by the Welsh Government, especially regarding meeting people indoors.
In the statement, repeated by the First Minister, the WG say:
"The Welsh Government will not be making new rules about mixing in people’s private homes, including gardens, in holiday accommodation or meeting outdoors.
"Instead guidance will be issued to help people stay safe."
Given the concern at the moment it is worth looking at what the Covid numbers currently are in Wales.
There are increase rates, particularly in South Wales, which is the place where the most omicron cases have been found.
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--Cardiff--
Cardiff has the fastest rising cases anywhere in Wales at the moment.
The infection rate per 100,000 has reached 670, which is up 46% from 457.9 just eight days ago.
This week it saw the highest number of cases in a day ever.
The five fastest growing areas are all in the south of the country.
Merthyr Tydfil - 43.88%
Rhondda Cynon Taf - 38.06%
Monmouthshire -31.57%
Swansea - 23.67%
This is the current situation in Merthyr and RCT at the moment:
The Welsh Government have introduced fines for people who go into work when they could work from home.
As of yesterday, you can be fined £60 if you go to work when you could WFH. Employers can be fined up to £10,000 if they repeatedly fail to allow people work from home.
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Workers in Wales have been advised to work from home where possible for months with the First Minister encouraging employers to allow them to do that.
However, from December 20 this has now been made part of the regulations.
Employers failing to allow working from home where possible could see fixed penalty notice of £1,000 for the first notice, rising to up to £10,000.
Shall we take a look at the serious amounts of private money which is being given to certain Welsh MPs?
Wealthy individuals and groups are pouring their own cash into certain Welsh constituencies and it is important we all know about it.
Let's have look...
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Before we look at the MPs receiving all this cash it is worth asking why this is happening.
Normally we see donations made to MPs before elections. They use this to fund their election campaigns.
Typically (but not exclusively) Labour see donations from unions, and the Tories see donations from business people, rich individuals (often with letters like MBE after their name) & political clubs.
I repeat that the vast majority of these donations are made before elections.