The Senedd will today choose whether to implement new rules for theatres, cinemas, and concert halls in Wales.
The new amendment proposes that staff in those premises must take all reasonable measures to ensure adults have shown a Covid pass or have proof of testing negative for Covid-19 within 48 hours.
Health minister Eluned Morgan said theatres, cinemas, and concert halls are places “where large numbers of people gather indoors for long periods, often without face coverings”.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has said he hopes the new proposals will instigate a downturn in Wales’ coronavirus spike. There were 4,303 new positive cases recorded in the latest data for Wales.
In the last vote on the initial implementation of Covid passes in Wales Labour succeeded despite all the other parties saying they would vote against. It only passed because Conservative MS Gareth Davies missed the vote while he was at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. He blamed issues with technology but that was strongly refuted by the Senedd authorities.
What is happening today?
- The Senedd proposes to approve an amendment to coronavirus regulations which will mean adults visiting theatres, cinemas, and concert halls will need a Covid pass proving double vaccination or will need to prove a negative test result in the previous 48 hours.
- The Senedd will debate issues around voter inclusion in Wales including proposals by the UK Government to introduce voter ID and restrict access to postal and proxy voting. The UK Government intends to make it mandatory for voters to produce photo identification at their local polling station before they can cast their vote in a bid to stop electoral fraud. But since 2017 issues around election policy has become a devolved matter and so voting in Wales is in the hands of the Welsh Government.
- First Minister Mark Drakeford will take questions from ministers including on how Caerphilly borough can manage its ongoing spike in coronavirus cases and how the Welsh Government plans to provide further support to Wales’ care sector.
- Economy minister Vaughan Gething will give a statement on the foundational economy.
- Minister for social justice Jane Hutt will give a statement on Wales and Africa. In recent months the government has shared its support for less developed countries by providing millions of pounds worth of PPE to help with the fight against Covid-19.
- There will be a debate reaffirming the government’s support for armed forces communities in Wales.
There are meetings in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay between Monday and Thursday. On Tuesdays and Wednesday there are meetings of the whole Senedd, known as plenary, which usually start at 1.30pm. Due to the pandemic a hybrid model is in place where up to 30 of the 60 MSs will meet in person but the rest via videolink.
Committees, where MSs take evidence about specific issues or grill ministers, take place every day.
Welsh MPs take part in proceedings in London during the week too. The House sits from Monday afternoon, usually until Thursday.
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