Written question WQ83567

The Welsh Government has published the advice it received from the Technical Advisory Group and from the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE). However, as the First Minister and I have confirmed, the decision to introduce the COVID Pass was based on a range of factors.

We are facing a potentially difficult autumn and winter – the coronavirus, in addition to the normal seasonal winter illnesses, could place extra strain on the NHS and wider services, which are already under significant pressure.

The advice from SAGE is very clear that we should act early to slow down a growing epidemic and that taking early and what it calls “low-cost interventions” now may reduce the need for tougher measures later to control the spread of the virus.

This advice has been taken seriously because none of us want to see businesses having to shut again and further lockdowns introduced, if they can be avoided. The COVID Pass is one of a series of measures designed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in Wales and reduce the associated harms that brings.

The use of the COVID Pass Wales will be reviewed regularly as part of 21-day review of the coronavirus regulations to ensure our interventions remain proportionate to the level of risk posed to public health by the virus.