What you can and can’t do now

HERE’S a round-up of the general guidance the Welsh Government published yesterday.

Can you leave home to exercise?

Yes, and you can do so as often as you like for exercise as long as you do so from home and are alone or with members of your household (and/or a carer).

What kind of exercise is permitted?

There are no legal limits on this, but in practice this is constrained by other restrictions such as the closure of leisure centres, gyms and pools.

Are there any limits on how far you can run or cycle for exercise?

There are no limits on the distance you can travel during exercise, though the nearer you stay to your home the better. You should not be driving to get to somewhere to exercise (with exceptions for people with specific health or mobility issues).

Will parks be open?

Yes, parks are allowed to remain open for outdoor exercise. You can attend parks with members of your household.

Will children’s playgrounds be open?

Yes. However, the Welsh Government says risks cannot be eliminated, and parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure playgrounds do not get too busy and to take responsibility for social distancing, especially for adults and children over 11. You must not meet other households there.

Can you do other things while out for exercise?

Yes, as long as they are also permitted, and do not involve gathering with people from other households outside a permitted “bubble”. Combining exercise with walking a dog or going to a shop to buy food, for example, is considered to be reasonable.

Leaving your home to exercise should not be used as an excuse to undertake another activity which is not permitted.

The purpose of leaving home is to exercise. Going for a walk and then having a picnic or spending a prolonged period on a park bench, for example, is not considered to be exercise and is not intended to be a reasonable excuse.