The Welsh Government has released an update on what you can do during the outbreaks. They do explain what can also happen when you break new laws. We are only sharing this information that was last updated, 24/04/2020.
Non-urgent advice: SOURCE LINK
You can
- Go out once a day for exercise, or more if needed because of a particular health condition or disability that you have. Please see the exercise guidance for more information.
- Travel to work, provided your place of work remains open and you cannot work from home.
- Go out to buy food, medicines, or other supplies, but you should stay at least 2m away from other people. Please see the business closures guidance for more information. Go out to your garden, yard, garage or shed.
- Visit your GP or local health services, including the dentist.
Provide care or help to a vulnerable person. This includes getting food and medicines for them. - Help the NHS by donating blood.
- Leave your house to avoid injury or illness or to escape the risk of harm.
- Leave your house to attend a funeral if you are responsible for organising the funeral, if you are invited by the organiser, or if you are the carer of any person attending the funeral.
You must NOT
- Gather in a group of more than 2 people in a public place, unless you live with them, or they are your carer.
- Travel or be outside without a reasonable excuse. A reasonable excuse includes the examples listed above.
Non-urgent advice: If you break these laws…
If you break these new laws:
You will be told to go home or removed from where you are and returned home.
You could have to pay a fixed penalty notice of £60. This will rise to £120 for the second breach, or you could have criminal proceedings brought against you. If found guilty, you will have to pay a fine.
How long will these measures stay in place?
These measures will be in place until they can be relaxed, when the risk of infection has reduced. Ministers have a duty to review these restrictions every 3 weeks.
Are critical workers covered by these regulations?
The Regulations affect how people live their daily lives and where they go. They also cover what types of businesses must close during the pandemic. The Welsh Government has previously identified categories of critical workers, which will determine whose children can go to school or receive childcare., However, the Regulations make no reference to ‘critical workers’, so they must be followed by everyone regardless of ‘critical worker’ status.
Why are the financial penalties so low?
We hope people understand the severity of the situation we are facing and will comply with the regulations, without having to be issued penalties.
I share parental responsibility for my child, can they visit the other person with parental responsibility?
You can continue existing arrangements for access and contact if you share parental responsibility for your child with another person. Please ensure you follow the guidance on frequent handwashing and do not place others at risk if you or a member of your household is self-isolating. If you have coronavirus symptoms, live in the same house as someone with symptoms, or are in an at-risk or extremely vulnerable group, you must stay at home.
My employer wants me to go to work. Do I have to?
People should only travel to work if it is not reasonably practicable for them to work from home. If you have coronavirus symptoms, live in the same house as someone with symptoms or are in an at-risk or extremely vulnerable group, you must stay at home.
The new rules set out that certain types of businesses must be closed. Please see the guidance on business closures for more information.
Open businesses must ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to ensure that a 2 metre distance is maintained between people where work is being carried out. Please see the reasonable measures guidance for more information.
Employers and employees should discuss their working arrangements. Employers should take every possible step to help their employees to work from home, including providing suitable IT equipment.
Employers also have a separate legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure their employees are not exposed to risks to their health.
Can I carry out building or repair work in someone’s home?
Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople, can continue if both the tradesperson and household members are well and have no symptoms of coronavirus. Please see the Public Health Wales self-isolation guidance for more information.
Like other businesses, tradespeople must take all reasonable measures to ensure that 2 metre distancing is maintained at all times when working in other people’s households. Please see the guidance on reasonable measures for more information.
It is recommended that no work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where a person who is classed as extremely vulnerable is undertaking ‘shielding’ measures, unless it is to repair a fault which poses a direct risk to people’s safety – for example, emergency plumbing. In these cases, Public Health Wales can provide advice to tradespeople and households. But no work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.
Can I do voluntary work?
Yes, you can – the new rules allow you to go out to provide care or help to a vulnerable person, including emergency help. This includes getting food and medicines for them. But it is important you do not put yourself or the person you are caring for at risk. Please see the volunteering guidance for more information.
I have to attend court – can I still go?
If your court proceedings are still going ahead, you can leave your house to attend court, providing you are not self-isolating. The courts will help you stay 2 metres away from other people. The rules on no gatherings of more than 2 people do not apply to legal proceedings.
My bail conditions require me to report to a police station or meet other requirements, can I leave the house for this?
Yes, but only if you are not self-isolating. You should stay 2 metres away from other people and wash your hands frequently. Please see the Public Health Wales advice factsheet for more information.
Can I move house?
Yes, you can, but you should not do so, if your moving date can be postponed.
I am a religious leader, can I go to my place of worship?
Yes, but you will not be able to hold services with other people present, other than funerals, where close family, friends and members of the deceased’s household can attend at the invitation of the funeral organiser. Please see the guidance on funerals for more information.
You may broadcast (without a congregation) an act of worship or funeral, whether over the internet or as part of a radio or television broadcast.
I am homeless, what must I do?
Extra funding has been provided to local authorities in Wales to help people who are homeless or rough sleeping. Local authorities are responsible for addressing housing need in their local area and as a result of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 have specific duties around homelessness prevention. If you are in need of support then you should contact the housing options team in your local area, their contact details will be located on your local authority’s website.
Please stay 2 metres away from others and please see the Public Health Wales advice factsheet for more information. You must not gather in a public place with more than one other person.
The Welsh Government also funds Shelter Cymru to provide independent housing advice and support. Further information, advice and support can be found on the Shelter Cymru website.
I need to access health services, what do I do?
You can leave your home to access local health services, but you should phone beforehand. Please follow any guidance your local surgery or health service has put in place to protect you and staff, including the need to keep 2m away from other patients waiting to see a GP or nurse. If you can rearrange your appointment, please do so, and use NHS Direct Wales online services where possible.
If you have symptoms of Coronavirus do not visit your GP, hospital or pharmacy. For more information please use the NHS Wales symptom checker.
New rules for businesses
New rules are now in force, which mean many businesses are now closed and people should work from home wherever they can. Please see the guidance on business closures and the guidance for businesses and employers.