(Title Image: ITV Wales)
Last week, the Welsh Government introduced a series of amendments to its coronavirus public health regulations to extend and tighten the lockdown rules (regulations – pdf; explanatory memorandum – pdf).
- The 2 metre (6ft6) social distancing measures – which were originally introduced for businesses which are allowed to remain open (like supermarkets) – have been extended to include hospital, school, prison and military canteens and cafes, as well as businesses offering a “click and collect” service.
- Currency exchanges/transfers, saving clubs/credit unions and banks can remain open.
- Visiting a cemetery or garden of remembrance has been included as a “reasonable excuse” to be outside.
- People with specific health conditions (or their carer’s and members of their household) will be allowed to leave the house for exercise more than once a day.
- The requirement to remain where a person normally lives has been amended to include remaining where they normally live and not “remain away from that place” – which effectively means lengthy day trips and going to holiday/second homes will count as an “unreasonable excuse” to be out and about and making someone liable for a fine.
The amended regulations came into force on 25th April 2020. However, all regulations of this kind require a vote in the Senedd within a certain period in order for them to remain in effect and such a vote is due to take place in the Emergency/Virtual Senedd tomorrow afternoon.
