The things we still can’t do as firebreak comes to an end...
THE 17-day firebreak lockdown ends today but if you’re hoping for a return to normality you might be dissapointed.
The “short sharp” firebreak was imposed on October 23 as everyone in Wales was plunged back into lockdown, unable to travel without a reasonable excuse or buy non-essential goods in supermarkets.
The tightest of the restrictions end today, meaning more freedom for people.
However, there are still limits on who you can meet, where you can meet them and what for.
Here’s what you need to know about what you still can’t do:
Meet more than three friends in a pub or restaurant
Although pubs, bars and restaurants can reopen to serve food and drinks by table service only, there are strict limits on who you can book a table with.
A maximum of four people from different households are able to meet indoors from today, but this does not include private homes or gardens where you can only see people you live with or those in your extended household “bubble”.
The rule does not apply to children under 11 and if there are more than four people in your household you can all go to a pub or restaurant together.
The Welsh Government has said that tables should be booked for two hours “as a rule of thumb”.
Go on holiday in the rest of the UK or abroad
Although people in Wales are permitted to go on holiday with those they live with anywhere within Wales from today, they cannot go on holidays abroad or cross the border to England for a holiday.
Travel abroad is only permitted with a reasonable excuse but people are allowed to bubble with another household in England as long as this is in line with the latest law across the border.
People are asked to consider whether any travel within Wales is essential and to try and stay local when possible.
Go on a shopping trip with your mates
Although all shops can reopen from today, people are being asked not to go shopping with anyone from outside their household and to observe social distancing when in shops.
You can meet up outside with three people from different households though (so that makes a group of four).
Go to the theatre or a nightclub
Although many entertainment venues can reopen – including cinemas, bowling alleys and casinos – theatres, concert halls and nightclubs will stay closed.
Go and watch a sporting event
professional
Although professional and elite sports can continue, and resume if they were stopped during the firebreak, spectators are not yet allowed to return to stadiums or sports grounds.
Take part in a sport or event that involves more than 30 people
You can play sport or exercise in a group of up to 30 people outdoors or 15 people indoors, if it is part of an organised activity managed by a gym, leisure centre of sports club.
Organisers need to take “all reasonable measures to reduce the risk of spreading the virus” when planning sporting activities.
The numbers do not apply to children under 11.
Run in a 10k or similar even with staggered starts
Activities involving waves or staggered start times “should not be allowed if there is any risk of breaching” the requirement to have a maximum of 30 people gathered together for an organised event outdoors.
Meet friends or family who aren’t
in your extended household in your home or garden
Although people in Wales can form a new extended household “bubble” from today, there are still restrictions on people from other households coming to your home.
Only those in your household or bubble can meet in your home or private garden.
If you want to see them, though, up to four people can meet in a pub or restaurant.
Welsh Government Health Minister Vaughan Gething explained the thinking behind the move: “You could sit down and have a cup of tea with another member of your family if you bubbled up with them.
“When we are in someone’s home and we are with someone we are familiar with, we drop our guard. That is just the nature of it.
“Unfortunately the time of year where if you go and stay in someone’s garden, you are much more likely to need to go inside anyway to use the facilities.
“If it starts raining most people won’t say, ‘I have only been here for two minutes’ so I will go home.”
Invite more than 15 people to your wedding
Although ceremonies such as weddings and funerals can resume today, there are limits on the number of people who can attend.
As long as it takes place on a regulated premises, up to 15 people can attend a wedding, civil partnership or funeral service.
Go home if you’re a student Although higher education establishments can continue a mix of inperson teaching and blended learning,
students are being asked to stay at their term-time address and not to travel home and risk spreading the infection.
Leave your kids with another household because the rules don’t apply to them
The rules on visiting other people’s homes are the same for adults and children – you can go to the homes of people in your extended household and only people from your household bubble can come to you (including private gardens).
However, there are exceptions where childcare can take place in private homes.
Meet more than three other people outside
You can meet as a group of up to four people away from private homes and gardens – for example in a park or other outside space. Government guidance states four “is a maximum and not a target” and that the smaller the number of the people that gather, the lower the risk of spreading the infection.
Meet in lots of different groups of four on the same day
Although not forbidden by law, it is not recommended under the new guidance which states: “It is better to see the same one or two people regularly than to see lots of different people occasionally.”
Visit family and friends outside of Wales
From today, you cannot leave Wales without a reasonable excuse to do so – for example if you have caring responsibilities or if you are in an extended household with them.
Buy alcohol after 10pm
Restrictions on the sale of alcohol will still be in place and alcohol cannot be sold between 10pm and 6am.
All premises licensed to sell alcohol must close by 10.20pm, and off licences cannot sell alcohol between their hours either.
Stand at the bar to buy a pint
All hospitality businesses in Wales which sell alcohol will still have to provide table service only.
Venues that do not sell alcohol can offer counter service.