Boosting Pembrokeshire’s “weak economy” post lockdown will be done as quickly as possible within Welsh Government guidelines.

Tourism and other low paid jobs that make up a large amount of the Pembrokeshire economy leave contribute to its “weak” status members of the services overview and scrutiny committee were told on Tuesday, June 16.

Director of community services Dr Steven Jones added that European funding had supported the county for 20 years but Brexit, and now Covid-19, would have an impact on the economy.

Dr Jones said that recovery work focused on four themes – tourism, place, business and community – with short, medium and long term projects developed subject to funding.

Clr. David Pugh highlighted the risk to tourism and hospitality business which may have to “basically write off this season” if things do not change quickly.

“Covid-19 is not going to go away, there isn’t a cure,” he added, with concerns about how to deal with “polarised attitudes” to wanting visitors to stay away and those who needed them for business raised.

The importance of health was highlighted by Clr. Tony Wilcox who said a cautious approach was necessary as officials are “walking a tightrope of the wealth of the county and the country and the health of the county and the country.”

Work to reopen the High Street to boost public confidence will be the first step in showing its “safe for both tourists and residents” said head of infrastructure Darren Thomas.

The use of a test, trace and protect process will be an important factor in reopening and living in the county while a vaccine for coronavirus is developed.

Cabinet member for economy, leisure and tourism Clr. Paul Miller told the committee that there were 13,000 workers furloughed in Pembrokeshire, as well as 5,700 self employed people supported by government grants and a further 4,000 in receipt of Universal Credit or Job Seekers allowances.

Clr. Miller added: “We need to be prepared to open for business as soon as we are legally able to. It’s more than important for tourism businesses, it’s critical.”

Boosting skills, apprenticeships, construction and engineering, particularly linked to the Swansea Bay City Deal marine energy project in Pembroke Dock, were also highlighted by the committee as important factors in the future.