Pubs, restaurants and cafes in Wales can now reopen indoors in line with England on May 17.
And, while this news was universally welcomed by the hospitality industry many were voicing concern that the date comes after the Senedd Election on May 6, and therefore will need to be confirmed by the new Welsh Government.
In his Covid restrictions review First Minister Mark Drakeford said the hard hit hospitality sector was in a position to reopen indoors a week earlier than originally thought.
At the same time he said other tourist accommodation (currently just self-catering), indoor entertainment and attractions, could also reopen. It comes as Wales has the lowest level of Covid infections of any 海角视频 nation, as well as the highest vaccination rate.
Responding to the review of coronavirus measures, Ben Francis, FSB Wales policy chair, said: “This announcement will give hope to many business owners and their staff and allow them to plan for a safe and successful reopening that will benefit both our communities and our economies.
“However, the proposed date comes after the Senedd elections which brings even more uncertainty to the already tentative nature of reopening the economy in the wake of Coronavirus. FSB Wales would call on all political parties to demonstrate some consensus on how reopening in the weeks following May 6 will work in order to give business owners some confidence in the way forward. Firms also need to plan and make financial commitments safe in the knowledge that there is some agreement between the political parties on what will happen in May.
“The next Welsh Government will need to be equipped to move incredibly quickly – both on the reopening timetable and on further financial support for those firms that need it – and there is work to be done by all the political parties to reassure business owners that this will be able to take place, no matter which party forms the next Welsh Government.”
Ian Price, the CBI Wales director, said bringing forward the easing of specific lockdown measures will be greatly welcomed by business owners, particularly those in the hardest-hit leisure and hospitality sectors.
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“With Covid rates falling and the vaccine programme performing well, employers and consumers will be able to look ahead to the summer months with renewed optimism following a tough year,” he said.
However, Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, was more critical of the Welsh Government and took the opportunity to hit out at the the treatment of the tourism and hospitality sector.
“Whilst this is a welcome step on the road to recovery, let’s not shy away from calling out reluctance by the Welsh Government to provide the business sector with a roadmap and alignment with England where 80% of our business comes from,” Mr Jones said.
“This is something the tourism and hospitality sector will not forget in a hurry.
“A great degree of anxiety and confusion for many of our tourism and hospitality businesses has been caused unnecessarily right the way through this whole pandemic.”
CAMRA said the bringing forward of the reopening of indoors was vital for a number of pubs, but also called on clarity from all potential new governments.
“Many community pubs don’t have any outdoor space or don’t have enough to make it worth their while opening, so the proposal to bring forward the date for indoor re-opening will be a lifeline to our locals, and to the breweries that serve them,” said CAMRA chairman Nik Antona.
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“However, having the final decision announced at the next Welsh Government review on 13th May won’t leave much time to plan for re-opening on the May 17, so I am urging the Welsh Government to give businesses as much certainty as possible as quickly as possible.
“Given the enormously difficult year our pubs and breweries have had – and the impact it has had on their ability to turn a profit from ongoing restrictions which mean they can’t trade at full capacity – we’re calling on whoever is First Minister after the Senedd election to commit to an ongoing financial support package to support and save our pubs until they are running as normal and at full capacity again.”
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海角视频Hospitality Cymru also welcomed the bringing forward of hospitality reopening
“We have led the calls for earlier reopening and have been advising, consulting and negotiating on the need to help protect jobs and businesses - and the public - by opening up our scrupulously regulated licensed premises, to look after undoubted customer demand as soon as possible,” said 海角视频Hospitality’s executive director for Wales, Dave Chapman.
“This aligns us with England and Scotland, offers clarity and commercial hope and reflects positively the medical evidence.”
Simon Wright, restaurateur and one of the co-founders of the Welsh Independent Restaurant Collective (WIRC) said they need to see the details on indoor opening rules published as swiftly as possible, so that businesses can begin to make concrete plans.
"A date for indoor reopening of hospitality is very welcome news and it’s positive that the Welsh Government has brought the date forward. However, the reality remains that hospitality has been without financial support from Welsh Government since March 31st, and in contrast to England and Scotland, are without the certainty of restart grants or clarity regarding future support" Mr Wright said.
"This means businesses and jobs are at serious risk. We call on all the political parties to agree to a specific funding package without delay, and to begin the process of getting money to businesses with immediate effect. The situation is urgent and cannot wait until we have a new government in Wales. Our belief is it the responsibility of the current administration to make this happen, and they need to act without delay.
Amanda Dorel, regional director for Wales at Lloyds Bank, said: “Hospitality and tourism were severely impacted by coronavirus and the lockdowns, so the latest announcement from the First Minister confirming venues will be allowed to open indoors from 17th May will be welcome news for those looking to get back to business as usual as swiftly as possible.
“A healthy hospitality and tourism sector is vital to the Welsh economy, estimated to be worth £3billion a year prior to the pandemic and bringing wide-ranging benefits for a number of other industries. We will remain by the side of businesses in the sector to help them navigate the roadmap towards recovery and beyond.”
From Monday the hospitality sector in Wales will be allowed to reopen outdoors, although many venues will remain closed as they don’t have the necessary outdoor space.