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Original poster

Any ideas what might happen in Wales?

62 replies

MinesaBottle · 14/12/2021 13:35

So following today’s press conference how likely do we think it there’ll be further restrictions in Wales before Christmas? I’m supposed to be going on the 22nd (am in England, mum is in N Wales), starting to worry now that they’ll ban travel! When is the next update?

Obviously I know no one here definitely knows, unless Eluned is a MNer, I’m just stressing myself out!

OP posts:
Andacherryonthetop · 14/12/2021 15:52

What did they say in the conference? Was it a welsh one? I’m in n wales mum in Chester but I don’t think they’ll stop travel. Although you never know with drakeford

MrsFin · 14/12/2021 15:54

Wales and Scotland always seem to "go one better" than England - just because.

Isn't Scotland looking at limiting mixing to 3 households, reintroducing social distancing etc?

Summertime16 · 14/12/2021 15:57

I'm Welsh and after today's conference, then Scotland imposing rules I'm expecting Dripford to impose a lockdown! I'm meant to be going to England for Christmas - my stress level are through the roof!

Original poster
MinesaBottle · 14/12/2021 16:38

Andacherryonthetop yes, Welsh Govt presser. It was mainly about boosters but ominously she did say they can’t rule out further restrictions. I imagine Drakeford is chomping at the bit for a lockdown at some point though. Am hoping anything further doesn’t go further than extended bubbles or limits on household mixing.

OP posts:
JackieCollinshasnoauthority · 14/12/2021 17:36

The rules between England and Wales were broadly similar last Christmas accounting for the usual delay from UK gov. Either way we'll find out on Friday and hopefully nothing will go seriously wrong between then and Christmas day.

Andacherryonthetop · 14/12/2021 18:42

Thank you, I haven’t watched it. I really hope we don’t lock down again. Agree that wales and Scotland always like to be a bit extra than England with restrictions so it’s definitely possible

110APiccadilly · 14/12/2021 19:26

They can't lockdown unless the UK Gov reinstate furlough (this is my understanding, but I can't see how it could be done).

They could restrict social contacts - if they think people will listen.

Again, they would find it very hard or impossible to close businesses without furlough in place, so there might be more restrictions on how businesses operate, but I'd be surprised if whole sectors of the economy are closed again.

Original poster
MinesaBottle · 14/12/2021 21:01

Good point, I suppose they could still restrict travel across the border but it wouldn’t be very workable given how many people live on one side and work on the other. Fingers crossed I’ll be there next week!

OP posts:
Fendidntdrake · 14/12/2021 21:52

Maybe they will bring in covid passes for hospitality? Weren't they talking about that as a possibility a couple of weeks ago?

PuzzledObserver · 14/12/2021 22:01

I live in England and we’re planning to stay with DM in South Walesover Christmas. It won’t matter (to us) if hospitality is closed as we don’t plan on going out apart from walking the dog. Just hoping they don’t ban household visits or barricade the Severn Bridge!

AllTheSunshine · 14/12/2021 22:03

I can't see that they'll do much. I think compliance will be a much bigger issue this year.

Original poster
MinesaBottle · 14/12/2021 23:08

Travel restrictions would be shit though as there’d be the risk of being turned back (being shamed in the Daily Post is something I can live with though Grin) and despite speaking the language and being able to give an address the police might wonder why I’m in a hire car from London. Aagh, I know I’m overthinking it. Roll on Friday and the next update.

OP posts:
Thegreencup · 14/12/2021 23:11

@MinesaBottle

Good point, I suppose they could still restrict travel across the border but it wouldn’t be very workable given how many people live on one side and work on the other. Fingers crossed I’ll be there next week!
I live on the border and can assure you that where I am there were bugger all restrictions on the border.

The police only stopped people in caravans on the coastal road.

Palavah · 14/12/2021 23:13

Didn't they cancel a load of trains last year? So not border control but practically v difficult?

Original poster
MinesaBottle · 14/12/2021 23:28

Yes for train travel, in our case we’re driving and heading to a tourist hotspot (Anglesey). We will not have a caravan however!

OP posts:
Fendidntdrake · 14/12/2021 23:30

Just seen at least one local primary school is moving to online learning for the end of this term (Ceredigion).

Original poster
MinesaBottle · 14/12/2021 23:58

My niece’s primary is too (Anglesey). Her class all had to do PCR tests last week as one of the kids was positive and they haven’t been back in since.

OP posts:
arianasky · 15/12/2021 12:53

Hoping this is isn't true? Has anyone heard anything like this at all?

Any ideas what might happen in Wales?
SpeckledHem · 15/12/2021 13:03

They won’t lockdown but it’s likely tougher restrictions will be imposed such as face coverings at all times, only smaller groups of people to gather indoors, maybe reduced opening hours for hospitality.
I work in schools and it’s expected amongst head teachers to have an extended Christmas holiday for a couple of weeks to slow transmission.

This is not official- just what people are talking about and expect.

Confusedandworried321 · 15/12/2021 13:10

@SpeckledHem do you mean you work in Education at the Welsh Government, or you work in actual schools?

Helocariad · 15/12/2021 13:14

Schools are closer early and moving to online schooling in several Welsh counties. They may reopen later than the 5th of Jan (as previously scheduled) too. This tells me that Welsh Gov want to give families with children the opp to 'lie low' before meeting wider family over Christmas, so won't impose a lockdown or close the borders.
But they may impose limits on numbers of people meeting.

At the moment covid rates aren't increasing that much over here and hospital admissions aren't up meaningfully just yet. The booster programme is working well. There are walk in apps where I live (Mid-Wales).

SpeckledHem · 15/12/2021 13:27

[quote Confusedandworried321]@SpeckledHem do you mean you work in Education at the Welsh Government, or you work in actual schools?[/quote]
I work in actual schools and liaise with head teachers of schools in my area

GettingStuffed · 15/12/2021 13:59

I'm going home to Wales this Friday, last night dad said there was to be an announcement on Friday, he says the though is only 3 households will be able to meet indoors and that Covid passes will be needed for any hospitality.

Redcrayons · 15/12/2021 14:04

@MinesaBottle

Good point, I suppose they could still restrict travel across the border but it wouldn’t be very workable given how many people live on one side and work on the other. Fingers crossed I’ll be there next week!
You’ve always been able to cross the border for work. I had a letter from my employer in case I got stopped, which I didn’t.
JackieCollinshasnoauthority · 15/12/2021 16:00

@arianasky not heard anything but that looks similar to alert level 1 so if they are reintroducing restrictions that's where it would go. Extended households are up to 3 in level 1 though, if that makes sense.