June 01, 2020 - 1235 views
From today there are some changes to lockdown in Wales and what you are now permitted to do.
Over the weekend Bayside reported on Welsh Government's plans to allows two groups from two households to meet outside locally from the start of this week.
'Local' means not generally travelling more than 5 miles from home to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading from one area to another.
The changes mean people can meet another household outdoors in their local area but all the other rules to protect people from coronavirus will stay in place for the time being.
The changes follow the third statutory review of the regulations by Welsh Ministers. The review is based on the latest scientific evidence from SAGE and the advice of the Chief Medical Officer for Wales.
Wales has passed the first peak of infection and rates are falling but the R rate remains at 0.8. Both SAGE and the World Health Organisation has advised changes should only be made one step at a time.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "We recognise what people have given up to help Wales slow the spread of coronavirus. I want to thank everyone for everything they have done – by sticking to the rules, we are all helping to protect each other and help our NHS respond to the pandemic.
"We know people are missing seeing their family and friends – the latest evidence, which underpins this review, means we can make some changes, to enable people to meet again, if it is done outdoors and locally, and people continue to follow the social distancing guidance.
"We are learning more about this virus every day and we know the risk of transmission is lower outdoors than indoors. That’s why, if we all remain 2 metres apart, 2 households will be able to meet outdoors, including in private gardens.
"However, a lower risk doesn’t mean no risk. Even in these circumstances it is vital we all maintain social distancing so we can continue to tackle the spread of this virus.
"Now and in the days and months ahead we all have a personal responsibility to make sure our actions don’t contribute to the spread of coronavirus. Please help keep Wales safe by staying local."
The changes to the regulations include:
Allowing members of 2 separate households in the same local area to meet outdoors at any one time as long as they maintain social distancing.
There is a low risk of infection if the 2 metre physical distancing rule is maintained while outdoors. This does not need to be the same people from the same household every time. ‘Local’ means not travelling more than 5 miles from home.
The 2 households can meet in private outdoor spaces, such as gardens, but this comes with a higher risk of infection as people may have to pass through someone’s private home to reach a garden.
The Welsh Government will provide guidance about the precautions which can be taken to minimise these risks.
Allowing weddings and civil partnerships to take place if the bride or groom is terminally ill.
The need to stay local and not mix with others other than in certain circumstances will be subject to exceptions similar to those that currently apply. Guidance will be provided about what staying local means in different circumstances.
In addition, people who have been shielding can now take exercise outdoors and meet people from another household in Wales, as long as it takes place outdoors from tomorrow Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething has announced today.
There are two changes to the advice for this group - Outdoor exercise is unlimited, as long as individuals strictly follow social distancing rules and hygiene practices.
Those who are shielding can meet outside with people from another household – but should not go into another person’s house or share food with them.
There are no other changes being made to the advice for those who are shielding at this stage. People who are shielding should continue to follow all the other advice previously given.
They should not go shopping or attend work outside of home. They should continue to have food and medicine delivered to them.
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