Monmouth Senedd Member Nick Ramsay is calling on the Welsh Government to urgently review new rules to ban the sale of alcohol in pubs and restaurants from 6pm today (Friday, December 4).

Mr Ramsay will be taking part in a debate on the new rules in the Welsh Parliament on Tuesday.

The Welsh Government announced the alcohol ban along with the early closure of all pubs and restaurants as part of new measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 but the controversial move has been met with an outcry from the hospitality sector.

Speaking today, Mr Ramsay said: “I have been contacted by many constituents, pub and restaurant owners deeply concerned by the new restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

“I was disappointed we were refused a debate on this issue before the meeting rules came into force, but I will be taking part in Tuesday’s debate and vote.

“It is still not clear how these restrictions will reduce the spread of the virus - the Welsh Government needs to come forward with the evidence which they say supports the changes.

“It’s important to get the balance right between combatting the pandemic and supporting business. The run-up to Christmas was always going to be a crucial period for the hospitality sector to start recovering, these new rules must be reviewed urgently.”