By Lesley Griffiths, MS for Wrexham

Last Friday (October 23), Wales entered a two-week firebreak designed to help bring coronavirus under control. It will end on Monday, November 9, and the Welsh Government is aware it may be a few weeks after the firebreak has concluded before its impact is apparent.

Expert medical and scientific advisors were unanimous that a short, sharp break would give us an opportunity to reset. Doing nothing was not an option. Without a significant reduction in transmission, it was believed the impact on hospitals and intensive care units would have been too high for the NHS to sustain.

It is a difficult balancing act. As a member of the Welsh Government, we act on the latest scientific evidence and every decision is considered carefully and thoroughly. The overriding aim, as always, is to help keep people safe.

The Welsh Government wants to ensure we come out on the other side of the firebreak better prepared. During this fortnight, more staff will be hired to strengthen the Test Trace Protect system and the NHS will focus on deploying its field hospitals.

This has already been a challenging period for many businesses and I recognise the latest restrictions create further difficulties. Throughout this pandemic, I have been supporting and updating local firms as best I can. Ahead of the firebreak, the Welsh Government offered a generous financial package via its bespoke Economic Resilience Fund (ERF), increasing its funding to £300m. The support from the ERF is unique to Wales and has been critical to hundreds of Wrexham businesses, helping protect the livelihoods of many local residents.

Wales has adopted a different approach to England. The UK Government's controversial and complex tier system, which is undefined and underfunded, is hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

In Wales, the Welsh Government has accepted the medical and scientific advice and has worked closely with partners to instigate a properly funded firebreak. Once the two-week period is over, there will be a clear path in the run up to festive period, enabling businesses to take full advantage of the vital pre-Christmas trade.

2020 has been a difficult year and we are all weary of the restrictions. Over this winter, we will all be asked to make further sacrifices to protect our loved one, to help prevent our NHS from being overwhelmed and to keep as many businesses open and operating safely as possible.

Every person must play their part to help keep Wrexham and Wales safe.

My staff and I continue to offer support to constituents and if there is anything I can help you with, please email lesley.griffiths@senedd.wales or call 01978 355743.