Businesses on Ynys Môn need urgent clarity from Welsh Government on what the future could look like for them as lockdown measures are eased, according to Plaid Cymru’s Member of the Senedd for the island, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Having assisted businesses on the island access vital support funding throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, concerns from businesses are now turning to when they may be able to re-open and what support will be available to them to do so as lockdown restrictions are eased by Welsh Government.
Businesses have written to the Ynys Mon MS anxious about a lack of clarity regarding their possibilities for re-opening, and what guidance they will have to follow should they be allowed to reopen in future. Some businesses say they don’t know whether they can open now, whether they could be set to re-open in three weeks, or if reopening might be possible at a later phase.
The Plaid Cymru MS has written to Welsh Government asking that as much guidance as possible be given, whilst appreciating that caution still needs to be taken and that specific dates cannot be given.
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:
“My team and I have dealt with thousands of queries throughout this pandemic, and we’ve done everything we can to assist businesses on Ynys Môn gain access to vital funding to support them at this most difficult of times.
“As Welsh Government begins to ease lockdown measures, however, what businesses really want now is clarity on what the future looks like for them – an indication of when they might be able to open, what support there will be for them to re-open, and what guidelines they’ll have to follow – in order to prepare as best they can to get back on their feet.
“Businesses haven’t been sitting idle since closure. They’ve been doing their best to get ready for reopening at some point in the near future, but now they really need to see a roadmap from Welsh Government on how they can move forward, not necessarily giving dates, but giving clarity on a phased return to reopening for different business sectors.
“Businesses feel like announcements by Welsh Government have been unclear and they are anxious to know when they will be able to re-open – or even if they’re allowed to be open already. I support the cautious approach of coming out of lockdown, but it would be helpful for businesses to know under what phase they can open so they can make preparations.”
