Hyper-local Covid restrictions needed not an all Wales rule, assembly member says

Mr George, who wants targeted interventions rather than blanket restrictions across Wales, said it would be a worrying weekend for businesses, waiting for Monday's announcement.

Mark Drakeford said today that cinemas, bowling alleys and other indoor entertainment venues will close and that new rules will be introduced for the hospitality industry next Friday.

He said the restrictions will cover the whole of Wales and a package of financial support will be announced for businesses affected.

But today Mr George said the new restrictions would unfairly penalise much of Powys which has lower infection rates that most areas of Wales.

“This is going to be a real blow for countless hospitality businesses up and down the country, businesses that has suffered greatly over the last eight months," he said.

“We now need to know the details from the Welsh Government because this will create an even more anxious and worrying time for businesses struggling to keep afloat.”

“As before, I am calling for targeted interventions, based on hyperlocal data, rather than blanket restrictions on all Wales.”

Mr George said Powys had a comparably lower level of infection per 100,000 of the population compared to other areas of Wales.

"Tougher national restricitons will unnecessarily penalise the people of Powys from seeing their families, friends and loved ones, which would in turn have a detrimental effect on people's health and wellbeing.

"I am of the view that a targeted approach to tackling any outbreaks is the best course of action. An urban solution which may be suitable for South Wales isn't right for rural Mid Wales. In areas such as Powys, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire which cover approximately 40 per cent of the land mass of Wales, low cases of Covid-19 have been, and continue to be reported. "