Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford insists draconian Covid rules must STAY because ‘Wales is in eye of Omicron storm’ despite the rest of the UK loosening restrictions – and casts fresh doubt over crowds at Six Nations games next month
- 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
First Minister Mark Drakeford said Wales’ touch Covid restrictions must stay in place today as he warned the Omicron ‘storm’ had hit the nation.
As the rest of the UK eases some restrictions he warned of ‘a difficult month ahead’, 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.
Revealing that 994 people being treated with coronavirus in Welsh hospitals – a rise of 43 per cent compared to last week and the highest number since last March – he denied that the NHS in Wales was being overwhelmed.
But he said: ‘We have put proportionate measures in place to help keep Wales open and keep Wales safe as we navigate our way through this Omicron wave.
‘But we need everyone’s help to do this. Over the next two weeks it will be more important than ever to keep on doing all those things which have helped to protect us all throughout the pandemic.’
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.’
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