‘I feel marginally safer’ people in Wales pass judgment on new Covid restrictions

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The novel coronavirus restrictions come into effect from December 27, including closing nightclubs and increasing social distancing measures.

The new legal restrictions were announced Thursday night, with Prime Minister Mark Drakeford explaining the rules at a lunchtime public briefing on Friday. Read the full ad from Mark Druckford here.

The announcement was met with mixed reactions across Wales. We asked people in Cardiff if the new Covid regulations would make them feel safe.

Read more: Hundreds queue to get a Covid-booster shot outside a Welsh vaccination center

Some people felt the new restrictions would make them safer and were happy to see the rules come in.

Britney Chow said she feels safer that nightclubs will be closing (Image: Jon Myers)

Britney Chow, 20, said, “I feel safer because nightclubs will be closed and I will personally feel safer at night.

“In terms of Covid, I would feel much safer if I stayed two meters apart, so I wouldn’t be afraid of people being so close to me.”

When asked if she felt safe after the announcement, Seri Krefeld, 60, said: “Yes, maybe, although I’m not a nightclub anyway. I think it’s safer to err on the side of caution especially since we don’t really know what we’re dealing with. With him with this new variant yet.

“I feel marginally safer.”

Others think the prime minister hasn’t gone far enough.

Richard Isaacs, 44, said: “I don’t know if it would necessarily make me feel safer. I use public transportation all the time and services are a bit crowded.

“So while they might bring in restrictions elsewhere, I don’t feel like they’ve been put in other places where they should be to keep people in the public safe at large.”

There has been some concern about people not following current mask-wearing guidelines indoors. Cities across Wales are busy with Christmas shoppers this week, which some said made them feel unsafe.

Trudy Steadman said it’s alarming to see how many people are shopping without masks (Image: Jon Myers)

“I don’t feel safe at all anyway to be honest,” said Trudy Steadman, 60. “Yes, I would probably feel safer, but I don’t go to nightclubs anyway so it doesn’t really affect me.”

“It was very disturbing today to see how many people are shopping without masks, especially the young ones.”

The closure of nightclubs was met with positive responses from everyone WalesOnline spoke to.

Even regular club goers seemed to think it was a smart decision.

Toby Roberts said that if people were more careful about wearing masks, he would feel safer (Image: John Myers)

Toby Roberts, 21, said: “I usually go out twice a week. I’m glad I won’t have to for the next couple of months, I think. I’ll save a little money.”

“You do what you have to do. If people were more careful to wear masks, I would feel safer.”

On Friday morning, Mr Drakeford revealed ministers were considering going further when they meet on Monday and reinstating the “rule of six” that governs how many people can meet in places.

Restrictions on the number of people at large events such as sports matches are also being considered. Watch more about that here.

Public Health Wales confirmed 64 new cases of the Omicron variant in Wales, bringing the nation to a total of 159.

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