Responding to the news that Welsh Government may consider the extension of Covid Passes to Welsh hospitality businesses, Ben Cottam, Head of Wales at FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) stated:
While we welcome the fact that Welsh Government has not chosen to implement any Covid restrictions in this next period, hospitality businesses will have noted the First Minister’s suggestion that the Government may yet introduce Covid Passes in that sector in December.
We urge Welsh Government to assess and publish information on the effectiveness of Covid Passes in tackling transmission to judge whether this might be a proportionate measure for the potential impact on smaller businesses. Detailed work including an impact assessment should be undertaken by Welsh Government to assess the implementation and lessons to learn in existing settings where passes are in force. Moreover understanding the reasoning helps with effective implementation.
Businesses will want to know soon which hospitality settings might be affected by any new measures and how these might be implemented. Would owners for instance be required to check Passes at the point of entry, therefore tying up valuable staff resources? This would be of concern for many businesses at a time of chronic staff shortages in this sector.
We note the First Minister’s assertion that these measures would be to keep businesses open and certainly the damage and anxiety caused by last year’s Christmas lockdown are still real for so many business owners. Much is already asked of business owners and they are doing everything to keep staff, customers and themselves safe and we know too that some businesses have already chosen to require a Pass. Before we ask any more of business owners however, there must be confidence among all concerned that this will have the desired effect and that it is proportionate and understands the pressures faced by the smallest businesses.
Once again, these proposals serve to illustrate that Alert Level Zero does not represent 'zero impact' or a return to normal for businesses. The financial hit to small businesses after a tumultuous 20 months, and at a critical point for economic recovery efforts, needs to be understood by Welsh Government and appropriate support measures must be put in place to mitigate any impact.
We very much welcome that Welsh Government is keen to continue work with business representatives on this and we look forward to continuing conversations to understand any next steps and the chance to pose the questions we know will now be on the minds of so many business owners. In the end, vaccination is the best route to getting back to normal business. We join others in urging everyone who can to get vaccinated or get the booster when they are able.
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