Mark Drakeford insists draconian Covid rules must STAY because ‘Wales is in eye of Omicron storm’
‘England is just an outlier’: Mark Drakeford launches astonishing attack on Boris Johnson over Covid rules as he vows to keep draconian Welsh restrictions in place because country is ‘in eye of Omicron storm’ – as experts say the worst of the crisis is OVER
As rest of the UK eases some restrictions he warned of ‘a difficult month ahead’ 994 people in Welsh hospitals with Covid up 43 per cent compared to last week Cast new doubt on Wales’s home Six Nations Games having spectators present
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Mark Drakeford launched an astonishing tirade at Boris Johnson over Covid restrictions today as he vowed to ignore clear evidence that the worst of the Omicron wave has passed in order to keep tough restrictions in place in Wales.
The First Minister branded England an international ‘outlier’ in resisting tighter curbs and accused the PM of overseeing a ‘politically paralysed’ administration that had tied his hands.
It came as he used a press conference to insist that Wales’ tough Covid restrictions on bars and mass events must stay in place due to an Omicron ‘storm’ breaking over the nation.
As the rest of the UK eases restrictions he warned of ‘a difficult month ahead’, despite admitting that the variant may not be as severe as previous waves.
But then, in a rant at Mr Johnson, he added: ‘In England, we have a Government that is politically paralysed, with a Prime Minister who is unable to secure an agreement through his Cabinet to take the actions that his advisers have been telling him ought to have been taken.
‘And even if he could get his Cabinet to address them, he can’t get his MPs to agree them.
‘The outlier here is not Wales. Wales is taking action, as is Scotland, as is Northern Ireland, and as are countries right across Europe, and right across the globe.
‘The one country that stands out as not taking action to protect its population is England.’
But his outburst came as a senior disease expert said a surge in the number of severe Omicron cases and deaths is unlikely to be seen in the current wave.
Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, chairman of the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication, University of Cambridge, said: ‘The big severing is between really severe outcomes and that there’s still no sign of a serious increase in intensive care, and ventilation, and in deaths.
‘We would have expected to see that by now in London and elsewhere – so that is the really reassuring thing.
‘I think we can guarantee that over this wave, as we endure the next few weeks, what we’re not going to see is a big surge in very severe outcomes.’
As the rest of the UK eases some restrictions Mr Drakeford warned of ‘a difficult month ahead’ for the NHS, despite admitting that the variant may not be as severe as previous waves.
And at a press conference today he cast fresh doubt over whether Wales’s home Six Nations Games would go ahead with spectators present.
The Welsh Rugby Union is exploring contingency plans which could involve Wales playing their Six Nations home games in England.
Last week Wales eased self-isolation rules a week earlier than planned to follow England’s lead and slash the quarantine period for people with Covid from 10 days to seven.
But it still has a 50-person limit on outdoor events, meaning sporting events are stuffed. A maximum of six people are allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants and a total of 30 people allowed at indoor events, which will affect other fans watching from afar.
Wayne Pivac’s side hosted their four 2021 autumn matches in front of capacity crowds at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Playing the three games with no crowds would be disastrous for the WRU who are reeling from the devastating financial impact caused by the pandemic.
The WRU lost out on revenue of close to £14million last year when their Six Nations home ties against Ireland and England were held in an empty Principality Stadium.
With three home matches this year, a repeat scenario is unthinkable for chief executive Steve Phillips. It is also unlikely any Six Nations games will be postponed due to the packed rugby calendar.
WRU sources have indicated to Sportsmail that they would be foolish not to be looking at all the available options. And that is why the possibility of moving games to England is being considered once again despite the severe logistical challenges it would bring.
Mr Drakeford said no decisions have been made about whether the game against Scotland on February 12 can go ahead with spectators.
Wales are also due to host France on March 11 and Italy on March 19.
He said: ‘We have to see the tide turn on the Omicron wave, we have to manage our way through the very difficult weeks that follow while numbers are still rising,’ he said.
‘If the model is accurate, we see those numbers coming down – reasonably rapidly as they have risen – then we will be in a position to see whether it is safe to allow greater social mixing.
‘That’s what we are looking at … the decisions about where to play matches are in the end for the Welsh Rugby Union to make, not the Welsh Government to make, but I just want to put on record my appreciation of the way the Welsh Rugby Union has conducted its business throughout the whole of the pandemic.’
