The First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has called on the Welsh population in a letter to stay at home and save lives this Easter bank holiday weekend amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
The ‘unprecedented’ letter is also signed by Health Minister Vaughan Gething and Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton and leaders of emergency services across the nation. The letter reads;
“Our public services are working around the clock to care for and keep people safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Frontline workers are putting our health and care first, every day.
We must continue to do everything we can to support them; to protect our NHS and to save lives.
The letter also calls on people to stay at home and describes it as ‘frustrating’ to see some people ‘flouting the rules’;
“We know it’s hard and we want to thank you for sticking to the rules. There are some early signs this is having a positive impact but there’s still a long way to go. We know that staying at home for long periods is difficult and families all over Wales are making many sacrifices every day.
Most people are doing just this, but it’s really frustrating to see some people flouting the rules and putting other people at risk. We are taking action to stop this happening.
These rules are there to protect you and your loved ones. For most people the virus will cause a mild illness, but there’s a large number of people – children, adults and grandparents – who are at risk of serious illness if they are exposed.
Sadly, a lot of people have already died after catching coronavirus. Families across Wales have lost loved ones to this virus – if we don’t act now, even more deaths will follow.
Our actions and decisions over the Easter bank holiday weekend, and in the coming weeks and months, will shape Wales for years to come.
Please – stay home and save lives.”
Speaking during Thursday’s Welsh Government press conference before the release of the letter, Dr Andrew Goodall, the Chief Executive of NHS Wales thanked people for what they have done so far amid the Coronavirus lockdown but urged people to remain at home over the bank holiday weekend to continue “protecting the NHS” and “helping to save lives”.
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Temperatures are forecast to reach almost 25C in some parts of the UK this weekend, while temperatures in Wales are expected to be 20C, prompting fears that some members of the public may break the current lockdown rules.
Lockdown measures are due to remain in place in the UK, with a review expected at the end of next week.
