One hundred businesses from north west Wales have signed a letter to First Minister Mark Drakeford calling for Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey to be taken out of the Wales lockdown.
This Saturday the First Minister made the shock announcement that Wales would go straight into alert Level 4 - days earlier than originally planned. This has seen all non-essential stores, hospitality, tourism attractions and holiday accommodation close.
Wales's overall 7 day rolling infection is now over 600 and Public Health Wales today said the new more transmissible variant of the virus was now prevalent in 60% of recent cases - including 22% in North Wales.
But cases in north west Wales remain relatively low - ranging from 51 per 100K on Anglesey, to 80 in Gwynedd and 85 in Conwy.
This compares to 1,269 in Merthyr Tydfil.
This has led to calls for different tiers in different parts of Wales.
The next formal review of the measures is due on January 7 - with Mr Drakeford indicating a regional approach was "possible".
Now a letter has been sent by 100 firms after being organised by Charlie Evans, who has founded Gwynedd Hospitality, which has grown to over 300 members in just 72 hours.
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Mr Evans, Conservative candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd at next year’s Senedd Election, said: “The First Minister and Welsh Government are in an unenviable position - having to balance the spread of the coronavirus versus the other health and economic challenges of Wales.
“However, with an increasing number of people being made redundant in north West wales, with more business owners filing for bankruptcy and rural communities becoming more isolated than ever before, it’s vital restrictions are proportionate.
"Level 4 restrictions may be appropriate for South Wales, but they are inappropriate for Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy. Covid-19 in this part of Wales is well managed and under control thanks to the efforts of local people.
“In England, we see different tiers that reflect the various rates of transmission- Herefordshire in Tier 1, London and the South East in Tier 4.
"In the letter, we make clear to Mr Drakeford that we want regional tiers to be implemented immediately. One size does not fit all.”
Steve Pooley, a co-signatory of the letter said: “We are heartbroken at Bryn Melyn Farm Cottages.
"Last night I had to phone and explain to our Christmas guests that we had to cancel their booking despite our area having such a low Covid infection rate, due to Welsh Government’s latest restrictions. We would be in Tier 2 if Mr Drakeford was to use a regional approach.
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“I had a lump in my throat as I made this call. Our cottages had been rented out by a family group who were hoping to make things as special as possible with all their young kids together for one last Christmas with their mum. She has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is expected to live only a few more short months.
“There won’t be any more Christmases together for this young family, this is not about the money any more for us.
"We need a more compassionate response from the First Minister.”
Mr Evans said: “There is a real sense of frustration among businesses in north west Wales. I hope the First Minister constructively engages with us.”
Mr Drakeford said: “I think that to offer a lower level of protection to North Wales families would not be consistent with the duties that I have as First Minister.
“The reason why we are asking the people of North Wales to do this is because it will protect them from the impact that would otherwise be felt there.
“Coronavirus is rising in every part of Wales. It is rising in the area as well. By taking action on an all-Wales basis, we act to protect people in every part of Wales.
“I will not be prepared to offer North Wales a second class level of protection when I know that the measures we are taking will save lives in that part of Wales.”
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