Your questions answered

THE Welsh Government has issued answers to some frequently asked questions to help you stay on the right side of the law and keep your family safe, ahead of the slight relaxation in rules which come into force on Monday.

Those rule changes will allow members of two households to meet outdoors as long as social distancing is adhered to, and as long as people “stay local” – usually, within five miles of home.

Here are some of the key questions that have been answered by the Welsh Government:

What does ‘stay local’ mean?

As a general rule, for most people anything within about five miles of your home is considered local. Most people in Wales live within five miles of shops and services that are essential for everyday purposes.

But we recognise that in rural areas these services may well be spread over a wider geographical area, and this means you can travel further to do the same sorts of things you could do within five miles elsewhere.

So while five miles is a good rule of thumb for most people, if you live in a rural area, you will probably be used to defining your local area a little more widely.

What are the exceptions to the stay local rule?

1. To obtain supplies and services for you or your household, for example food, medicine, veterinary care and essential household maintenance.

2. To visit health services that are not available locally.

3. To provide care for or to help someone who needs it, such as an older person, a child or a vulnerable adult, though you should consider whether there are alternative sources of support available.

4. To help the NHS by donating blood.

5. To avoid injury or illness, or escape a risk of harm.

Can a members of one household meet members of more than one other household outdoors as long as they are separate meetings? Yes, but they must be separate meetings – so only two households at any one time, and social distancing and good hand hygiene must be maintained at all times.

How many people am I allowed to see at any one time?

As long as it is only two households who are meeting, there is no restriction on the number of people at any one time. Gathering with members of more than one other household, however, is still illegal.

Are picnics and barbecues with other households allowed?

Yes, as long as they are local and you maintain social distancing and don’t share or use the same items as the other household, for example plates, cups and food packages. Any item that is passed between two households will increase the risk of the spread of the virus.

Is social distancing still needed? Yes, social distancing when meeting anyone not from your household is still essential to stop the spread of the virus.

Can I drive to see another household?

Yes, as long it is within your local area, you remain outdoors and you practice social distancing.

Can people from another household come into my home? Meeting people socially indoors is not allowed under the rules, as it significantly increases the risk of spreading the virus.

If two households are meeting in the private garden of one house, visitors can go through the house to reach the garden, but not stay in the house. You should not use the toilets, kitchen, cutlery or anything else in another household.

If you can, you should also avoid touching things indoors, such as light switches and door handles.

Can I travel to parks, beaches, visitor attractions and beauty spots to meet another household?

You should aim to meet another local household as close to your home as possible, for example a local park. If other outdoor visitor areas are local to your home, then travel to them is allowed, while taking care to always maintain social distancing and hand hygiene, particular if using toilets and other facilities.

Travelling to meet another household in parks, beaches and attractions outside your local area is not allowed. Many attractions and beauty spots (including car parks and public toilets) currently remain closed so you should check before travelling.

Can I travel to do sports outside my local area?

If your preferred form of exercise or leisure is one that can only be undertaken in specific locations, this still needs to be carried out locally. Examples of this might include golf, angling or watersports. If there is a place where you can do these within your local area, then you are free to do so, but it would not be permissible to drive outside your local area for these purposes.

However, we recognise there are certain forms of exercise which, though you start locally, may temporarily take you further afield. For example, a strong cyclist may get their exercise through bike rides of 40 miles or more. Exercise as a form of “active” travel in this way (a long cycle ride, run or walk) is now allowed, as long as the exercise starts and finishes from home.

That said, it is important not to risk spreading the virus by breaking that exercise and stopping or congregating with others outside your local area. Crowded places should be avoided, and social distancing should be maintained. The rules on gathering with others also mean that while you can now exercise with people from one other household, group activities are still not allowed.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? EMAIL ECLETTERS@ WALESONLINE.CO.UK