Mark Drakeford gives Covid update on anniversary of first lockdown

First Minister Mark Drakeford has warned that certain restrictions will stay in place throughout 2021.

While answering questions about the first year of the pandemic, he said: “If things go well, then by the end of this year we may be living with the simple restrictions, the social distancing, the hand washing, the mask wearing in crowded places, the things we have become very used to doing to keep one another safe.”

In an answer to the conservative group leader Andrew RT Davies, Mr. Drakeford said: “We simply cannot, I think, say to people with certainty we would like that all the risks of coronavirus are already passed. There may be more twists and turns in the story yet”.

Warning about a second wave being “baked”, the First Minister described Boris Johnson’s plan to return to normal on June 21 as “fanciful”. He said: “Another wave is baked into things now – it’s how we deal with that and have [another] wave that is as suppressed as we can make it so that we don’t have to take the sort of drastic action we’ve had to in the last 12 months

On Wednesday, Wales commemorated the first year of anniversary of pandemic and lockdowns through a memorial event.

At the memorial event of the anniversary, Mr. Drakeford said: “Our thoughts are with all the families who are mourning the loss of a loved one – just as our thoughts have been with all the people whose lives lie behind the numbers reported every day.”

“They will be remembered in the hearts and minds of all those who knew and loved them.”

“And today we remember them too.”

“Over the last year, we have heard too many sad stories but we have also heard inspiring tales of resilience, bravery and determination from every part of Wales as communities support each other.”

“And our everyday heroes – from bus drivers and shop workers to intensive care nurses and teachers – keep on keeping us safe.”

“In the darkest of times, we have come together as a country.”

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