Covid Review: Ready For Rule Change?

Ahead of the review announcement by First Minister Mark Drakeford we have been speaking with young people in South Wales to see how they feel about regulations.

Their reactions have been mixed, with some eager to get back to normality, and others appearing to prefer a more cautious approach.

Recent data from Public Health Wales has revealed that 18–29-year-olds currently have the lowest Covid-19 vaccine uptake, with over 130,000 people from this age group still yet to have their first dose.

Views on the current coronavirus restrictions in Wales:

The majority of young people we asked say that they are happy with the current restrictions. At the moment, the rules allow for people to join up with two households; meet up to five other people in a restaurant or pub; meet up to 29 people outdoors; travel around the UK and travel abroad to certain destinations.

“I think it’s really good that the Welsh Government are being very cautious about when to ease restrictions in Wales." I’m not too bothered by restrictions; they’re sort of part of life now. But it will be nice to see the back of them.” - Ifan Barber

Travelling to nightclubs in England:

Currently, nightclubs in Wales are still closed. However, from Monday they will be set to open in England as Covid restrictions ease.

While some people we asked said they would not consider leaving Wales to go clubbing in England, others said they would not rule it out.

“I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with Welsh people travelling across the border to England to go out”. “I think I would go, maybe to Bristol for a night out with my friends. People are going on holiday, so I don’t think there’s any harm in going to England and taking part in what everyone else is doing ” - Emily Thorne

Others feel as though clubbing might not be for them anymore, and have said they would rather spend time in pubs and cafes.

"I don't think I'd go, and I think I'm past the point of missing it. It's that whole new normal." - Cerys Williams

Wearing Face Masks:

We have been wearing masks indoors for what feels like ages, and many of us have collected quite a stash of them. From blue surgical masks to the trendy ones that match our outfits.

The Welsh Government said that even if Wales was moved into alert level zero, masks would still have to be worn whilst in public transport and in certain indoor places such as dentists, opticians, hospitals and doctors surgeries.

However, masks seem to be a winner amongst young people, with most people we asked wanting them to stay.

"I completely appreciate that face masks are quite annoying and I'd much rather not wear them. But I think for those people who use the supermarkets and go into town and go into busy places because they have to, have a right to be protected from those of us who may symptomatically be carrying Covid." - Samuel Carroll

Digital Covid Passports:

A Digital Covid Passport would allow people to show others that they had received their vaccinations. At the moment, people in Wales can access their vaccination status online in order to generate an NHS COVID Pass which can be used for urgent travel abroad.

You don't need one of these to travel in the UK, but in England, nightclub event organisers are being advised by the Government to require people to show proof of vaccination.

Some have said that having this would make them feel safer, whereas others think this would be unfair for people who do not have the vaccine.

"I personally wouldn't mind having a Digital Covid Passport because I'm double vaccinated. However, I do value and respect people who choose to not get the vaccine. So I don't think that they should be judged or discriminated against." - Emily Thorne

"I am personally all for digital vaccine passports. I think it would make me feel a lot safer to know that if I was travelling abroad or going into a gig that everyone had at least had their vaccinations." "I think if you are happy enough to have a vaccination, you should be happy enough to prove you have had a vaccination." - Ifan Barber

Welsh Government ministers are reviewing the rules in preparation for Mark Drakeford's statement tomorrow.

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