Vaughan Gething answered questions from Penarth and Cardiff South constituents on a Facebook Live video today.

The MS covered a wide range of topics, from the cancellation of 2021 exams in Wales, to travel between England and Wales, and the Keep Cosmeston Green campaign.

Christmas

Mr Gething was asked whether a lockdown during the Christmas period was going to happen.

"The honest truth is we haven't made a decision because we need to understand the impact of the firebreak that has just finished, and we need to understand how well we're all doing at changing the way we're interacting," he said.

"We also need to see what's happening with Coronavirus infection rates, because this virus can travel so fast.

"I know people want certainty about whether there will be any further national intervention.

"Our plan is to get to the end of the year without another intervention. That would mean that we've successfully supressed the virus during the firebreak, but afterwards as well.

"That to me is hugely important because if we can't do that, then our prospects for avoiding further action are significantly reduced.

"During the winter, our NHS faces higher demands than at any other point of the year. That's why it's encouraging that many people have got their flu vaccinations early.

"If we do have to intervene over Christmas, I would do so with a heavy heart."

Keep Costmeston Green

The health minister was asked whether he supports the campaign Keep Cosmeston Green Campaign, which is petitioning to stop the development at Lower Cosmeston Farm.

Mr Gething said he was open to both sides of the argument, pointing out that this was a Welsh Government proposed development, because it owns the land and acknowledging that this was a controversial issue in the constituency.

"I arranged for a group to meet with officials in the government, so there is an opportunity to have dialogue about this development, and possible future developments as well," he said.

"We recognise that we need more homes for people. We have to make sure we have a development that is sustainable not just in the way it's built but in the way it's delivered as well.

"I'm continuing to listen to what my constituents have to say. I know there are people who want me to simply oppose the development, but that's not where I am.

"I look at those in my constituency that are in need of housing, but I am interested in how sustainable those developments are.

"If anyone is interested in being kept up to date, then they can join the postbag."

Exam cancellations

Speaking on the recent announcement that GCSE, AS Level and A Level exams in 2021 would be replaced by teacher-led assessments, Mr Gething said: "We don't see how the exams can be a level playing field, between different years and between pupils who have isolated for different amounts of time.

"It could be that a sample of assessments from each school could be moderated, or all the assessments could go for external moderation.

"I wouldn't be surprised if other nations in the United Kingdom followed suit. It would be preferable if every nation was doing the same thing, or similar. But we still need to do the right thing for our pupils in Wales."

Working from home

Mr Gething also answered questions about how the work from home message was being monitored, to which he revealed that the Welsh Government has used mobility data from Facebook and Google, and seen a significant reduction in people's movement around the country during the firebreak.

"The challenge now is that everyone that can work from home, should. Where possible that is the clear expectation," said Mr Gething.

The health minister also acknowledged that some people miss going to work because of the role it has in their lives and the relationships they have there.

Travel between England and Wales

Mr Gething clarified the rules about travelling between England and Wales, saying it was the new regulations from the lockdown in England stopping travel between the countries.

He said that you can still move across the border if you have a reasonable excuse, such as if you have to work and it cannot be done at home, for medical treatment, or to provide care such as delivering food to a vulnerable relative.

Businesses forced to close during the firebreak

When asked why businesses were forced to close during the firebreak, Mr Gething responded:

"When we introduced the firebreak it was because we were seeing rising numbers of people going into hospitals and sadly dying.

"We chose to prioritise the schools, and the interests of children and young people. I was really struck by the harm of closing schools on young people, and their mental health

"Interrupted learning meant that children who gained the most from school, often from our most disadvantaged families, were the ones that suffered the most.

"For the firebreak to be effective, a range of other closures had to take place. Otherwise, there wouldn't have had an effective stay at home period.

"It wasn't a point of criticism of non-essential retailers, gyms, and hospitality businesses.

"We were really upfront about the fact that it would take some two to three weeks for us to really see the effect of the firebreak, after it ended," he said.

The first stage of the formal review of the firebreak will begin on Monday.

Fines for breaking restrictions

One resident questioned the Government's use of fines for those who break Coronavirus restrictions.

"A lot of people think it's a matter of fairness that the fines available are delivered to prevent people from acting in a way that contributes to spreading the virus," said Mr Gething.

"The bigger issue of getting people to do what they should do, because breaches of the rules shouldn't happen in the first place.

"It's hard to say how people didn't know they were breaking the rules, that's what I find frustrating

"The trouble with this virus is that you're not just taking a risk for yourself, it's for other people around you. I hope that the self-isolation payment support that comes into effect on Monday will help."

Private renting

Mr Gething was asked what the Welsh Government had done to protect the interest of private sector renters.

The health minister pointed out what the Labour Government has done already, including the Rent Smart Wales for landlords and agents, the Renting Homes Wales Act which will commence in the near future and will make it easier to rent a home. Information on this can be found on the Shelter Cymru website.

The Senedd is also considering the Rental Homes Amendment Wales bill which will extend the period of notice that tenants are entitled to from two months to six months.