“Wales needs leadership not letters” – Plaid Cymru Leader calls for Welsh Government action on England lockdown travel restrictions

First Minister Mark Drakeford should use the powers under his disposal to implement travel restrictions today between areas of high Covid-19 rates in England and other parts of the UK and Wales Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price MS had said.

The Plaid Cymru Leader criticised the First Minister’s decision to write another letter to the Prime Minister and urged him to act “independent” in the interest of the people of Wales. 

Mr Price said this was about “public health” and “protecting our communities” and that Wales could not afford to wait a single day “let alone a week”.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething confirmed yesterday that there had been “an importation of coronavirus cases from contact with some of those high prevalence areas in England.”

There were five more Coronavirus deaths and 764 more confirmed cases reported today by Public Health Wales.

Mr Price added that if the Welsh Government required extra parliamentary time this week to get the necessary legislation through then Plaid Cymru would be supportive. 

Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price MS said,

“This is the fourth week running that I have highlighted the absurdity of people in areas of high Covid-19 rates in England and other parts of the UK being allowed to travel into parts of Wales.

“Rather than respond to the legitimate concerns of our rural communities, instead the First Minister, rather bafflingly, sought it fit to suggest this was being portrayed as some “contest between Wales and England”.   

“This is about public health and protecting our communities. The First Minister knows that. Rather than writing another unanswered letter to Westminster, the First Minister should act independently in the interests of the people of Wales.

“A pandemic calls for quick and decisive action by Government. We can’t really afford to wait another day let alone another week. Wales needs leadership – not more letters.