Next week marks another significant step as Wales continues to make a gradual move out of the Covid-19 lockdown and Police & Crime Commissioner Alun Michael has hailed it as “an opportunity for the people of South Wales to show how we stick together through good time as well as bad times”.

From Monday 13th July, a phased reopening of the hospitality sector gets underway, with bars, restaurants and cafes with outdoor spaces being allowed to open.  Future decisions about indoor re-opening will be made by Welsh Government and will depend on the success of the first phase of outdoor opening.

Alun Michael said: 

“In general Communities across South Wales have behaved responsibly during lockdown and made real personal sacrifices to slow the spread of the virus to save lives and protect the NHS.

“As restrictions ease there’s a risk of some people getting over-exited, but it is even more important for every one of us to take personal responsibility – to behave well and to keep out families, our friends and our communities safe. Let’s not throw away all the hard work of the past three months.

“People are still dying of Covid-19, and the challenge of recovery is enormous – as one Council Leader said to me the other day ‘opening back up again is a lot more difficult and complex than closing things down’ and people across public services, private businesses and in community groups will echo his experience.

“As pubs and clubs reopen, our message of “Drink Less, Enjoy More” is as relevant today as it has ever been but the consequences of getting drunk and being irresponsible are even more serious now.

“We must all play our part by following the rules especially on distancing and respecting each other, respecting bar and restaurant staff, respecting the emergency services who will be working to keep you safe and respecting our local environment.

“The message from the First Minister Mark Drakeford is absolutely clear and the police and all our local councils are working together to protect the public.  We really are all in this together and we need the support of all our partners and the public – with clear messages reinforced by parents and neighbours and the media.

“What has struck me during the response to this pandemic in South Wales is the positive way in which the police and communities have worked together during the lockdown restrictions.  There are still clear and sensible restrictions in place here in Wales and we must continue to follow them if we are going to be successful in defeating this virus together.”