'This is easily the most difficult decision we have made… many will die as consequence': The Eluned Morgan interview on easing Covid restrictions

The plan to relax coronavirus restrictions in Wales from August may be the toughest Welsh Government has made as they know you will find people who will "suffer and some who will die as a consequence," health minister Eluned Morgan has stated.

On Wednesday, Welsh Government announced that some Covid restrictions is going to be eased from July 17, with just about all restrictions from August 7, when the public health situation allows. See more detail around the timetable for relieving restrictions here.

There are nine individuals with confirmed Covid-19 in intensive care beds in Welsh hospitals. Read more on that here. And although the amount of hospitalisations is way lower as a percentage of the number of cases being diagnosed in Wales than at any point in the pandemic, some people are still falling seriously ill using the virus.

Scientists still expect around 230 deaths with Covid-19 in Wales this summer – although this is cheaper compared to what they have been projecting earlier this year. See more on that here.

Speaking on Thursday morning, health minister Eluned Morgan told WalesOnline the decision to ease restrictions was the hardest one the federal government during the pandemic. She also clarified the travel rules affecting people in Wales, those around weddings and masks.

You can see her interview in full, below:

Stats clearly show that the link between hospitalisations and Covid cases is diminished – but there are still people falling seriously ill with Covid who are needing ICU treatment in Wales. How can you explain to them as well as their families why Wales is moving so quickly to relax restrictions

"It's a really difficult balance, and these are very, very difficult decisions I believe this is probably the most difficult decision, the government has made since we've entered the pandemic due to course sooner or later we all do have to release restrictions because we've got to bear in mind there are other harms that people have to consider. It's not only the physical harms but there are also serious mental health, economic harms, equality harms, all of these things we must balance.

"Cheap we are through the seventh of August, in a situation where 85% of our population is going to be double vaccinated, hopefully can give a degree of protection.

"But let's not pretend there won't be considered a proportion of people that will still suffer which will still contract herpes and I'm afraid you will see some who'll die as a result of that, but sooner or later we have to release however i think we have to bear in mind that you will find the moment. Coronavirus is actually very reasonable on the list of why people are dying in Wales."

Wales was among the last nations of the UK to create masks compulsory in stores in public places, but it's now going to be among the later ones to lift that compulsion. Why one thing change of approach, considering that a year ago you had been stating that masks only have a minimal effect.

"The recommendation at the time and also the medical device i was getting and also the World Health Organisation. Everyone was saying different things. Now because the pandemic continues, we have learned a lot more about what that protection can provide and that's why we're responding to the more recent evidence that suggests that actually staying with some type of face coverings in public places, not so much to safeguard yourself, but to protect others who are around you. What's been great about Wales is that there has been that real sense of we're all in this together that people are looking after each other, and we wish to continue in that vein."

The First Minister said he wishes England hadn't changed the self isolation rules for people who've had both their jobs and therefore are returning from amber-list countries. Exactly why is he doing exactly the same thing then?

"It's very hard for us to possess different rules when, in fact, if people go abroad and let's be absolutely clear here the Welsh Government is advising people not to travel abroad come july 1st, because people are flying into English airports, and therefore, it would feel totally odd for many people on a single flight to become treated in a single way, and others to be treated another.

"But we are very worried about the potential importation of variants of concern from other countries that could bypass our vaccines. So, you realize, this, it is really an issue that we wouldn't have made that call when we had every other real option, but it's very very difficult.

"I think it is actually essential for people to understand how risky is to go abroad, not only to the fact they could get herpes but variant of concern but usually because as you've seen yesterday, the traffic light system means that things are jumping around and you can find yourself in a situation where you would have to perhaps pay an additional lb2,000 to take to a red list country therefore you need to isolate in the hotel at extreme expense.

"So, individuals need to think very, very carefully before booking a vacation abroad this year."

On travel, we had lots of questions regarding exactly what does it really mean. If I had opted abroad, and I'm sure individuals are taking your words aboard, but what is the situation with testing and PCRs and what they have to do on which days?

"So, if you want to go abroad, your carrier will most likely insist upon you using a test before you go, so you'll need to test prior to going, but also when you come back, you will have to possess a PCR test on day two.

"That will be essential if you come back from an amber list country. There aren't many countries on the green list, or even places like Majorca or Ibiza where a lot of people who signed up to, now has gone back to the amber list. So people need to understand these situations are moving around, all the time."

The day two test is at your cost?

"If you've been double vaccinated, you will then be capable of being released at that point if it's an adverse test."

And the price is yours?

"When you return, you have to make certain you've had that test on day two and you have to pay for that privately, of course, yes.

"Can one just address it one more question which i know we've were built with a lot of questions about and that is why should I pay for a Welsh Government test rather than a private test that is an option that is receiving in England.

"Part of the reason behind that is because we wish to protect the Welsh public.

"We have heard of a lot of private test companies in England who've been very inefficient when it comes to them coming back to individuals with the outcomes of the tests and people missing their holiday as a result. So this is set up to protect the Welsh public.

"We've asked the UK Government to put in place really strict measures relating to this when it comes to what the standards we anticipate seeing and we're very keen to determine people using those tests but not until we get assurances the standards are in place to safeguard the Welsh public and then till that time. I'm afraid we will be insisting on people using the Welsh tests."

On events, we've were built with a large amount of questions about why you may still find different rules and the reason why you can have 500 strangers near each other in a although not at a party.

"Don't forget that from August 7 you'll be able to possess as numerous people as you would like at the wedding. That will not be for the following few weeks but from August 7….

But it is based upon the venue and risk assessment?

"It is dependent on the danger assessment of the venue however if they place in measures like increased ventilation. They will know what to do they are very, very responsible companies and organisations. I understand they're desperate to get going so I'm sure they won't take any unnecessary risks however problems in later life this is peak with wedding season plus they would like to get on with it."

Mark Drakeford discusses a gentle approach easing face mask rules. He's talked about hospitality being the initial step, but what's the next phase, can you give us some insight into what would be looked at next and what those discussions that you're having?

"On top of hospitality of course there'll be schools in September so they'll have type of different set of rules around wearing face coverings.

"However, you would ever guess, if we're referring to everywhere indoors at the moment when it comes to public settings.

"A few of the things I guess we'd be checking out are type of big, community places, so such things as museums and things like that in which you know that there's a lot of air circulating that it's easier so I guess that's that's the place where we'll be looking, taking a look at next."

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