POLITICIANS have responded to news that pubs and restaurants in Wales are set to re-open from July 13 saying that repeated calls for a timetable were ignored, leaving venues with just two weeks to prepare to open their doors.

Helen Mary Jones MS, Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for the Economy, said:

 

“Plaid Cymru and Wales’ bars and restaurants have consistently asked for a timescale for reopening the hospitality sector in Wales. Our calls have been ignored by Welsh Government until now.

 

“While the news that we have a date now for outdoor opening is welcome, we still do not understand why a timetable couldn’t have been shared with the sector earlier. Giving the sector less than two weeks to prepare for re-opening shows how problematic the Welsh Government’s current ad-hoc approach is to easing restrictions.

 

“Now the Government needs to work with local authorities to urgently overcome the planning and licensing challenges that need to be addressed to enable spaces to be created in our towns and villages to increase the space available for outside opening, and work with the sector on a timetabled plan for indoor opening.

 

“The Welsh Government needs to be planning much further ahead and making clear which restrictions are expected to be lifted in the weeks and months ahead. 

 

“And some businesses may not be able to open for some months to come. They will need longer term support, and they need to know from the Welsh and UK Governments now what that support will look like. We can’t afford to lose these vital businesses.”

Shadow Minister for Covid Recovery – Darren Millar MS has also spoken out saying that the outdoor only ruling could prove unviable for many businesses.

 

“This announcement will be welcome news for some businesses in the hospitality sector across Wales but without a relaxation of the two-metre social distancing rules and the ability to use indoor spaces, it still won’t be viable for many businesses.

 

“Unfortunately, the Labour-led Welsh Government’s foot dragging has come too late for some businesses which have already laid off staff and closed permanently due to the prolonged uncertainty and I suspect that without a clear timetable for indoor services others will too."

 

He added: “The Labour-led administration should also consider bringing forward the days on which it relaxes its restrictions to Fridays. Too many weekends have already been lost due to Ministers always introducing changes to restrictions on Mondays causing people to lose the benefit of an important weekend of trade.”