Businesses in Wales have demanded the government roll back their vaccine mandate after they were unable to provide evidence it slowed the spread of coronavirus.
QUICK FACTS:
- Welsh government has been hit with pushback after businesses insisted on vaccine mandate exemptions.
- A Freedom of Information request was sent in mid-December to the Health and Human Services group requesting data used to develop the restrictions according to Wales Online.
- A photo of the request and response indicated that the businesses were requesting statistical information about COIVD cases developing from nightclub attendance when the mandates were created.
- HSS responded saying that the information was not available and there was no guarantee about where someone caught COVID-19.
- Welsh business owners have voiced concern that the increased restrictions will drive their would-be customers to England’s new venues.
MORE ON THE INFORMATION REQUEST:
- The Freedom of Information Act request was sent to the Welsh government asking for “any and all data that Welsh Government have used to develop the restrictions announced on 16th and 17th December 2021.”
- “This should include but not be limited to: a. Statistical information regarding numbers of Covid cases developed from nightclubs b. Statistical information surrounding rates of transmission from businesses to be impacted by the one way system rule. c. Minutes of the meeting and all this in attendance held on 16th December by Welsh Government regarding the restrictions,” the FOIA request stated.
- The government responded to the first two questions by stating, “This information is not available. There is no guarantee about where someone caught Covid-19, therefore there is no data on cases caught in specific locations.”
BACKGROUND:
- Increased COVID-19 vaccine restrictions were introduced in October of 2021 and since, there have been frustrations about some venues being “singled out,” with the orders, according to Wales Online.
- Nightclubs, indoor non-seated events for more than 500 people, outdoor events for more than 4,000 people, and any event with more than 10,000 people required NHS passes after October 11.
