THE FIRST Minister has warned that further easing of the lockdown in Wales will not happen if people continue to flout social distancing rules.
Speaking after a mass brawl was filmed at Ogmore-by-Sea in south Wales last night, Mark Drakeford said he would not be able to ease restrictions if similar scenes are repeated.
In a tweet, the First Minister said: “We will not be able to continue easing restrictions if scenes like last night continue to happen.
“They threaten the health of people in Wales and undermine the sacrifices the majority of people have made during this ongoing crisis.”
It's been so peaceful the last few weeks at Ogmore By Sea. They open the car parks and mass brawls happen 🙈 what is going on! pic.twitter.com/xgPGLZMLMX
— Kelly Holmes (@kellyjayholmes) June 25, 2020
It is illegal to gather in large groups in Wales and and people are advised not to travel outside of their local area.
It comes as a major incident was declared in Bournemouth yesterday.
Thousands of people defied advice to stay away and descended on Bournemouth beaches on the hottest day of the year so far.
Mr Drakeford made further comments about the incident at Ogmore-by-Sea during Friday's Welsh Government press briefing.
He said: "We must not allow the ugly actions of a small proportion of people to cast a shadow over the efforts of everyone else."
"It's important to send a message that if we were to see scenes like that at Ogmore to continue, it would inevitably have an impact on us being able to lift restrictions.
"Last night's pictures are a reminder of what happens when things go wrong."
We will not be able to continue easing restrictions if scenes like last night continue to happen.
— Mark Drakeford (@fmwales) June 26, 2020
They threaten the health of people in Wales and undermine the sacrifices the majority of people have made during this ongoing crisis.https://t.co/uUrqqWqIWi
In a statement on the scenes at Ogmore-by-Sea, a spokesman for South Wales Police said:
"At around 8pm tonight, we were called to Ogmore by Sea to reports of a large gathering and a disturbance taking place.
"Two men in their 20s were detained by officers, the crowd was dispersed and the council was contacted to close the car park.
"Witnesses have described one person being injured.
"As yet no victims have been identified nor come forward.
"Officers re-attended the sea front following a further call at 10.50pm that some of the earlier group had returned.
"We are aware of videos circulating on social media of the incident and enquiries are ongoing."
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