On Monday 2nd November, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced a new set of post-lockdown restrictions for Wales.
From Monday the 9th of November groups of no more than 30 people will be able to meet for organised outdoor activities if strict Covid measures, such as social distancing, are adhered to. This will come as good news to many of our members and supporters who have patiently and willingly waited for the green light to return to a little bit of normality. The First Minister also outlined that groups of no more than 15 people will be able to meet for organised indoor activities as long as social distancing and other Covid measures are followed.
Travelling out of Wales will only be allowed for a set number of reasons including for work and health care, as the Welsh Government cautiously take Wales out of the current lockdown whilst England enters a new one. Mr Drakeford stressed that people who live and work on different sides of the Wales-England border will still be able to travel between the two countries, stating that "it will be the same broad system on both sides of the border" and that "people who live in Wales but work in England will have a reasonable reason for travelling to work." The "travel ban" on people coming into Wales remains for now, with another set of restrictive reasons for travel set to be announced by Welsh Government this week.
Non-essential retail shops as well as gyms, places of worship and schools for those in Year 9 and above, can reopen next Monday 9th November – when the "firebreaker" lockdown is due to end. The details of the rules for pubs, bars, restaurants, and cafes are still under consideration in light of the upcoming lockdown in England which is due to begin on Thursday 5th November.
The basic message from earlier this year of asking those in Wales to stay at home whenever possible and to limit contact with others is still being echoed now.
You can find all of the frequently asked questions about the latest regulations on the Welsh Government website here.