The Welsh Government has announced a ‘traffic light system’ plan to reduce lockdown restrictions while making sure it's “putting people’s health first.”

 

No dates have been given on when these changes will come into

effect as the first minister said: “If we provide dates, people focus

exclusively on the date. Not the process we need to go through.”

 

Wales is currently partially in the red zone as only essential travel is

allowed and working from home is encouraged wherever possible.

 

Mr Drakeford said that Wales can’t afford to make any drastic

changes yet.

 

“The overall message has not changed because the virus has not changed- it remains a threat to us all.

 

“Changes can only be made when medical and scientific advice says it is safe to do so.” The First Minister said.

 

The ‘stay at home’ message still stands in Wales and has not changed to the ‘stay alert’ message which is now in place in England.

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Both nations have differing advice regarding travel and exercise and the first minister has made his message clear to those across the border: “Visit Wales, but do it later.

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“Providing the virus remained under control, we would move into the amber zone, if monitoring showed we are still on top of the virus it would be time to move into the green zone, where life would look more like it was before coronavirus.”

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He said: “Until a vaccine or effective treatment is found, coronavirus will be with us for a long time to come.

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 “We have avoided putting dates as there is a danger that people can focus on dates rather than the process to get to the right moment in order to make the changes, that is the important thing, not an arbitrary date which gets people focused on the wrong thing.”   

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The traffic light system would mean some aspects of life would come back sooner than others, there could be aspects of life at amber with others still at red.

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Mr Drakeford responded to the criticism about the confusion of this simply by saying the complexity of the document reflects the complicated nature and the reality of life and it is important to be honest with the people of Wales.

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He said: “The initial moves we make will need to be monitored, the modest moves could have a reverse effect.

 

“It is important to customise the advice to each and every one, and reflect what is happening in Wales, the virus has had different impacts across the country and it is important that we ensure we get it right in each area.

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“We want people to feel safe as we go through the phased reductions in the lockdown.” he said.

 

The message in Wales is still the same when the lockdown started at the end of March: to stay at home and to continue to save lives.

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“That message has not changed as the virus has not changed and remains a threat to us all,” he added.

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Mr Drakeford said success rested on the combined determination of the people to do the right thing and that it would be self-policing that would get us through this coronavirus crisis.

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He commended the efforts of the Welsh people in helping the NHS to prepare and respond to the virus and said it had been ‘outstanding’.

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He said: “The people of Wales need to continue to stick to the rules and the road to recovery can continue.”

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In Wales, travel should continue to only be local and essential.