Welsh Conservatives have called for a major rethink on COVID passes after it was revealed cinemas across Wales have seen a dramatic fall in trade since the draconian measures were introduced.
The owner of Galeri arts centre in Caernarfon said cinema sales were down 50% and Empire cinema in Holyhead has seen a major reduction in ticket sales.
News of the drop in trade comes as Labour ministers are meeting to discuss extending COVID passes to pubs, restaurants and cafes.
The Welsh Conservatives are also calling for the Labour administration to outline what financial support or compensation is going to be given to those businesses hit by COVID passes.
Even the Scottish nationalists who were the first to implement these draconian measures have now seen the light and realised the ineffectiveness of the passes.
Nicola Sturgeon and her SNP administration have decided not to extend COVID passes to pubs, cinemas and theatres – and now Drakeford and his Labour cronies in Wales must do the same
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Tom Giffard MS, said:
“We have been against these passes from the outset because there is no evidence they stop the spread of coronavirus and now we are seeing just how badly they are hitting businesses.
“Our hospitality and leisure industry needs support from Labour ministers as we look to bounce back from the pandemic – not to be clobbered with more anti-business restrictions which jeopardises livelihoods and jobs.
“With businesses already suffering significant losses, Labour ministers must urgently outline what financial compensation or support they will provide to those firms hit by this draconian policy.
“Labour must now rule out plans to extend COVID passes and look at revoking them all together because it’s clear they are damaging businesses with little evidence they are keeping people safe.
“Vaccines and the booster campaign are helping keep Wales safe – not passports.”