First Minister Mark Drakeford wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to urge him to re-introduce furlough as the Welsh Government cabinet debated new restrictions in Wales.
The cabinet met on December 16 to decide if additional measures were needed as the Omicron wave swept the UK – and the next day Mr Drakeford announced extra rules on hospitality, events and the closure of nightclubs for after Christmas.
The Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton informed the cabinet that Omicron cases were doubling every three days and while there were reports of reduced severity in symptoms the sheer number of cases would lead to substantial pressure on the NHS.
Minutes from the meeting state there was a great deal of concern that the UK government appeared to be ignoring the scientific advice on the spread of Omicron and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury had refused to provide financial support to the devolved governments to take their own measures.
Read More Related Articles Michelin Guide reveals when Wales’s finest restaurants will find out about stars for 2022 Read More Related Articles Nightclubs in Wales can reopen and hospitality rules dropped from tomorrowGiven the financial constraints, ministers agreed that officials should explore whether rules could be strengthened by moving from guidance to regulations wherever possible and limiting social contact.
The meeting was paused and when they reconvened First Minister informed cabinet that he had written to the Prime Minister earlier that day to urge him again to either reintroduce the furlough scheme, along with allied measures, for the whole of the UK or to provide the devolved governments with access to Treasury funds to enable them to introduce their own measures.
Read More Related Articles Boris Johnson says ‘serious conversations’ taking place with US firms over nuclear site on Anglesey Read More Related Articles Marks and Spencer wants 50 extra staff as new Llandudno store opening date loomsFurlough was never re-introduced but UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced additional rates linked support on December 21 – with Welsh Government receiving £50m.
Cabinet agreed there should be more stringent measures – with further legal restrictions to include the reintroduction of two metre social distancing and the rule of six.
Ministers considered the impact of Omicron on nightclubs and concluded, with the additional risk of infection in confined spaces, they should all close from Boxing Day.
The measures were greeted with dismay by the hospitality sector which had already seen trade devastated by the Omicron wave as people cancelled events and going out plans.
Read More Related Articles Wales saw rise in the number of businesses in first year of pandemic – but one worrying statistic Read More Related Articles Gwynedd bistro restaurant has gone on the marketExtra rules were not introduced in England and the country also saw cases dip following the Omicron peak – prompting criticism that the rules in Wales – lifted this weekend – had not been necessary.
Welsh Government has pointed to lower infection rates in Wales in the ONS figures compared to England over the period when the rules in Wales were in force.
The Government has introduced a £120m support package for businesses impacted by the Omicron wave and extra restrictions in Wales.
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