Clarification on First Minister's comments today

Mark Drakeford's announcement this morning suggesting that Hospitality and Tourism might be open again by Easter needs to be read very carefully. The Chairman's recent meetings with Welsh Government have begun to focus on reopening strategies rather than just support and grants for business lost during closures, however, this afternoon he was still being advised that opening before May is very unlikely. There is a feeling that, as the weather improves and children go back to school, society at large will lose heart and begin to defy the restrictions. Today's announcement was intended to be an indication of hope so that restrictions are kept to right up to the end. There is a very strong desire from the WAG to open hospitality and then stay open rather than the stop - start issues that we had last year. WAG has also been made very aware that we need a good length of run-in time to reopening to manage staffing issues and supply chain delays. As soon as we know more we will update this blog.