Exercise is fine, but most sporting facilities to close

GYMS, leisure centres and swimming pools will all close, with a complete ban on outdoor gatherings putting a temporary end to things like recreational group sports.

Even golf clubs and tennis clubs are being closed for the two-week period.

While most children will continue to attend school after the one-week half-term break, they will not be allowed to head off to their local rugby club, for example, and play with their friends. All community sports will come to a halt.

So what exercise can you do and what sports can still be played?

Here’s a round-up of the general guidance the Welsh Government published yesterday.

Can you leave home to exercise?

Yes, you can, 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 that have been imposed such as the closure of leisure centres, gyms and swimming 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. Your exercise should start and finish from your home and you should exercise alone or with a member of your household.

Can you exercise by going fishing or horse riding?

This is not specifically prohibited. However, you should not be driving to get to somewhere to exercise, and the need to carry sports equipment isn’t regarded as a justification on its own for driving in these circumstances. This will mean in practice most people cannot do these things for the short period of the lockdown.

All exercise must be undertaken alone or with members of your household. Can I play tennis or golf? Golf and tennis clubs will be required to close during the period of the lockdown, according to the Welsh Government.

Will parks be open?

Yes, parks are allowed to remain open for outdoor exercise. You can attend parks with members of your household but you must not arrange to meet with other households.

Will children’s playgrounds be open?

Yes. However, the Welsh Government says risk 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. In particular, you must not arrange to meet other households at playgrounds and should not socialise there.

Can you drive somewhere to exercise?

Exercise should be undertaken locally, the guidelines say. That means from home or as close as possible to the home. In general this should not involve people driving to a location away from home for this purpose. No journeys of any significant distance should be taken, for example, just in order to exercise in the countryside or at beauty spots.

There are exceptions for people with specific health or mobility issues.

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.