The Welsh government has published the criteria by which it will decide when, and how, it can ease the coronavirus lockdown.
The framework is more akin to the UK government’s five tests for easing restrictions than the more comprehensive document published by the Scottish government yesterday. It does not lay out any specific measures the Welsh government might ease – rather, it asks a series of questions by which ministers will decide their future approach.
They are:
– Would easing a restriction have a negative effect on containing the virus?
– Does a particular measure pose a low risk of further infection?
– How can it be monitored and enforced?
– Can it be reversed quickly if it creates unintended consequences?
– Does it have a positive economic benefit?
– Does it have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing?
– Does it have a positive impact on equality?
First Minister Mark Drakeford said lockdown measures would be kept under “constant review”.
“Coronavirus is not going to disappear – it is likely it will be with us for a long time. We will need to have some sort of restrictions in place for some time yet to continue to control the spread of the virus and reduce community transmission. This framework will help us determine what is right for Wales.”
Any easing of lockdown measures will be supported by a Wales-wide programme of “surveillance, case identification, and contact tracing”, he said.
Earlier today, Wales strengthened its lockdown measures. People that leave their home with a “reasonable excuse”, such as food shopping or for work, must return home without doing anything else, the government said.
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