Wales at the Covid Inquiry: What can we expect?
The Welsh Governments handling of the Covid pandemic will be scrutinised over the next two weeks
Last updated 27th Feb 2024
The way the Covid pandemic was handled in Wales will be scrutinised from today as part of the UK wide Covid Inquiry.
Welsh Government ministers and health experts will answer questions about the decisions that were made throughout the pandemic, including decisions over lockdowns.
How long is the inquiry expected to go on for
Currently, according to the Covid Inquiry website, the hearing is set to last 12 days
Who is expected to speak?
The currently listed participants in the Wales section of the Covid Inquiry include the Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru and the Welsh Local Government Association.
Who will be speaking when in the inquiry?
During the first day of the inquiry, we are expected to hear opening statements from all listed participants.
Throughout the first week, we will hear from both representatives from the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru, and experts in decision making for the Welsh Government.
Some of the experts we will be hearing from include Professor Dan Wincott, an expert in decision-making in the Welsh Government, and Dr Robert Hoyle, Head of Science at the Welsh Government Office for Science.
When will we hear from the First Minister of Wales and other Welsh ministers?
Currently, it is unclear exactly when we will be hearing from key politicians and ministers throughout the enquiry.
However, it is assumed they will give evidence during week two of the inquiry, which would match how the Scottish focus of the inquiry was carried out.
Will there be a separate Wales specific inquiry?
Campaign groups such as Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru have called for a Wales specific inquiry into the handling of the pandemic. The Welsh Conservatives have also made similar calls.
The Welsh Government has ruled out a Wales-specific inquiry, with one spokesperson saying scrutiny of the decisions made in Wales can only be achieved by a comprehensive UK-wide inquiry.