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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Sian Burkitt

What people in Wales think of the Welsh Government plan to end lockdown

Welsh people got their first glimpse of the path to the easing of lockdown measures when First Minister Mark Drakeford announced his Government's exit strategy on Friday.

For eight weeks during the coronavirus pandemic, people across Wales have been living under the rules imposed by the Welsh and UK Governments, and today's announcement is the first step towards easing it.

On the streets of Cardiff, people were busy taking their daily exercise. In Roath, the mood was mixed when asked about the most recent Welsh Government announcement.

The plan, announced by Mr Drakeford, involves a "traffic light system" in order to bring Wales out of lockdown.

The roadmap, called 'Unlocking our society and economy: continuing the conversation', is "part of a cautious, coherent approach to easing lockdown", according to a Welsh Government statement.

When asked about the announcement, individuals responded with a range of comments, including the desire to remain in lockdown longer, concern about the lack of dates in the Government's plan, and praise for the traffic light system.

Lily Watts, 20

"I definitely think that we should be in the red stage for longer. The sooner you lift it, the sooner we're going to get a second peak in cases and in deaths.

"I think it's better to stay in for longer and be safer than to start lifting it and give people hope to reign it back in again.

Lily Watts (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

Nigel Roberts, 69

"My views on the traffic light system, going down from red to green, there's a merit in that... but again, without a timeline of dates, it's meaningless.

"I feel that the government don't seem to trust us to have the intelligence to go along with a timeline."

Nigel Roberts (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

Andrew Duncan, 21

"The lack of dates is frustrating in that we don't know when non-essential workers can go back to work.

And certainly people that can't get out and do their essential shopping because they're high risk... I can understand that's frustrating."

Andrew Duncan (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

Charlotte Williams, 20

"With high-risk people they said a minimum of twelve weeks I think we should all just follow that now.

"And then see, after twelve weeks, where things are, and act upon it then."

When asked about how the Welsh Government's response compared to that of the UK Government, Ms Williams said: "I definitely think it's better in Wales. I feel more secure."

Charlotte Williams (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

Irfan Gwillim, 13

"My dad has said to me that Boris Johnson is only talking about kids in England and not Wales. I was a bit disappointed when he said that, because I actually wanted to go back to school."

Irfan Gwillim (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

Tammie Esslemont, 22

"It's nice because it makes it really visual. So you can go, right, red is kind of dangerous still, amber is not so dangerous, and green is alright.

"But I think there should be more steps. You can't summarise this in three steps, do you know what I mean?

"You should have a six, or maybe a ten-point-plan."

Tammie Esslemont (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

Let us know what you think of the exit strategy, by commenting on this article or join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter.
 

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