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PRIVACY
Economic Development

Workplace 'social distancing' to become law in Wales amid worker concerns for safety

First minister Mark Drakeford made the announcement at his media briefing this afternoon

Building site in North Wales. Photo by Ian Cooper(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)

Welsh Government is to enforce 'social distancing' at work with a law requiring employers to abide by the two metre rule where "reasonable".

Up to now businesses have been advised to keep two metre distances between staff in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus in workplaces.

But concerns have been raised about this by fearful workers and unions - with Conservative Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders also writing to First Minister Mark Drakeford this week raising issues in the construction sector.

Now Mr Drakeford has announced Welsh Government will make the two metre requirement a law - which will come into force by Tuesday morning.

He said: "We are going to put into law the two metre requirement in the workplace, requiring employers to take all reasonable actions to comply with that two metre rule.

First Minister Mark Drakeford at a press conference on March 30(Image: Welsh Government)

"It is simply saying to employers that they must put the needs of their workforce first, that their health and well- being must be top of the agenda and the two metre rule is there to protect that. But if they take all reasonable actions and comply with the guidance we are giving their businesses can continue.

"This is not about stopping businesses from operating, it is about businesses operating in a way that is safe for their employees.

"We have heard the message coming from some people that they are fearful of the way that their health is being compromised in the workplace.