Protest coincides with government vote on news rules for hospitality sector
PROTESTERS will gather outside the Senedd at 4pm today ahead of the Welsh Government’s vote to extend the use of Covid passes across more hospitality settings.
Theatres, cinemas and concert halls will require visitors to show a Covid pass from November 15 if members of the Senedd vote to approve these proposals today.
Before the vote takes place, a protest will meet at the Welsh Parliament with speakers to include MSs, councillors and hospitality industry leaders.
“I hope a lot of people turn up to the protest and raise their voices,” said Councillor Neil McEvoy, leader of the Propel party.
The Fairwater councillor and speaker at today’s protest said: “If the government wanted to kill the hospitality sector of the economy, they couldn’t go about it in a more effective way than implementing these passports.”
This is a view shared by Richard Taylor, 46, of Abergavenny, who is a campaigner and political activist and one of the protest coordinators.
“Businesses have been hit so hard by the pandemic and the lockdowns – and I completely understand why we needed the lockdowns – but these businesses are now trying to recover, and the Welsh Government is not making it easy for them,” he said.
“I applaud the vaccine roll-out in Wales, I think it’s amazing what we’ve been able to do, but it is absolutely absurd that the government is now asking people to show medical ID to get into venues and events.”
Nightclubs and large events in Wales have required Covid passes for entry since October 11 and First Minister Mark Drakeford has warned that cafes, restaurants and pubs could soon be added to this list if case rates continue to rise.
“Places like nightclubs and stadiums would normally employ door staff and security anyway, so they’re not having to take on the extra staff to check Covid passes like we would need to,” said Nicola McCue, 45, owner of The Traders Tavern in Cardiff city centre.
“I can’t expect customers to walk in the door, come to the bar and then have their Covid passes checked by bar staff, only to be asked to leave again if they don’t have one.”
The pub owner, who will be speaking at today’s protest, said: “There’s been so many different restrictions and we’re just getting back on our feet and back to some normality – and now this.”
Covid passes show proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test and have been described by the government as just one of a series of measures to help prevent the spread of coronavirus while keeping the economy open.
After a narrow 28-27 win for Welsh Labour at their last Covid pass vote, it looks likely that today’s vote will pass through with Plaid Cymru’s backing.
“The pressure outside the Senedd is going to be very important in my opinion,” said Richard Taylor.
“There’s a lot of public anger and frustration and of course it will be a peaceful protest, but you can imagine that tensions will be high.”
Mr Taylor will also be chairing a panel discussion on the use of Covid passes at 7pm this evening in The Packet Hotel, Cardiff Bay.
