In response to additional measures announced today by First Minister Mark Drakeford to help tackle a rise in cases of Covid-19, South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael said:

"Because of the very concerning rise in Coronavirus cases, I fully support the additional measures announced by the First Minister Mark Drakeford to restrict the number of people who can meet indoors to six and to call for the community solidarity that we saw in Wales during the height of Lockdown to be renewed.  I particularly welcome his decision to mandate the wearing of face masks in supermarkets and other enclosed spaces – this makes the expectation clear and it is a matter of respect and consideration for others for everyone to comply with that request.

"As has been the case throughout this public health emergency, South Wales Police officers will play their part in encouraging people to play their part by following the rules.

"This is a public health emergency but preventing the spread of Coronavirus is a responsibility that is shared by everybody and local authority staff and police officers have worked well together across South Wales through very difficult and challenging times.  But I want to stress that the responsibility lies with every single one of us – young people, older people, parents, community leaders, those with leadership roles in sport as well as local authorities, businesses and those who work in the hospitality industry. 

"If we don’t all support our NHS colleagues by taking personal responsibility we will all pay a price – and while it is a minority who flout the rules we all need to play a part in explaining to them that it really does matter.  Our officers have shown how that can be done with the “4 Es” approach - they have engaged people, they’ve explained the rules, they’ve encouraged people to follow them and if necessary that have enforced the law.  But enforcement shouldn’t be necessary - personal responsibility is absolutely essential and the local lockdown which has been put in place in the Caerphilly County area is a clear example of what will happen everywhere if cases continue to rise.

"I support the calls made by community leaders and the health authority in Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf for people to act now before the situation gets worse and further restrictions have to be put in place – and that really applies to all of us, everywhere.  Covid-19 hasn’t gone away and the threat remains real. We all must follow the rules or we will see more cases, more people becoming seriously ill and a rise in deaths. It really is a matter of life and death."