Wales changes its lockdown rules to stop people lingering outside and considers further crackdown on trips to second homes – but click and collect shops can reopen
- Wales is today announcing that its stay-at-home restrictions are changing
- Guidance on going outside will be tweaked so that people return home quickly
- A further crackdown on people visiting second homes is also in the pipeline
- Comes as Welsh government starts to set out road map for post-lockdown life
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The Welsh government today announced it is changing some of its coronavirus lockdown rules to make sure people return to their homes quickly after going outside.
Currently people are allowed out to get food, medicine, for exercise or to go to work but there are concerns that some are flouting the rules and lingering outside longer than they should.
As a result, the stay-at-home guidance is being tweaked with the requirement for people not to leave the place where they live now becoming a requirement ‘not to leave or remain away from that place’.
A further crackdown on people visiting second homes in the country is also being considered with the Welsh government asking the police if extra restrictions are needed.
But some rules are being formally loosened with ‘click and collect’ services allowed to open as long as they apply two metre social distancing rules.
Meanwhile, rules are also being relaxed for people with particular health conditions or disabilities so they can leave home for exercise more than once a day.
It is hoped this will help families with children with learning disabilities and autism in particular.
The changes, due to come into effect from tomorrow, were announced as the Welsh government also starts to set out how it could start to ease lockdown restrictions.
First Minister Mark Drakeford will today follow Nicola Sturgeon’s lead by detailing a post-lockdown roadmap for the country, further piling pressure on the UK government to do the same.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford today announced coronavirus lockdown rules are changing in Wales in order to stop people staying outside for too long
A further crackdown on visits to second homes is also in the works. Some countryside communities have blasted city residents for leaving places like London to go to idylic areas in Wales. Pictured is a sign on a roadside near Pembrokeshire
Announcing the changes to the current rules, Mr Drakeford said: ‘The restrictions are staying in place, which mean you must stay at home to save lives and protect the NHS.
‘Over the last few months, we have taken unprecedented steps to protect everyone, but particularly those most at risk from serious illness. This approach has helped the NHS prepare and cope with coronavirus and it has also helped to save many lives.
‘The changes we are introducing supplement the rules already in force but they respond to some challenges being faced in parts of the country and by families throughout Wales.
‘Our message has not changed – anyone can get coronavirus, anyone can spread it. So please, stay home, protect the NHS, and save lives.’
There have been signs in recent days that some Britons are beginning to tire of the lockdown with more cars on the UK’s roads and more people visiting parks.
The Welsh government said the new rule changes were necessary so that people realise they ‘cannot remain outside to do other things’ once they have completed essential tasks like shopping.
Officials in the devolved administration are also in discussions with the four Welsh police forces to determine whether existing measures designed to stop people travelling to Wales to visit second homes are sufficient.
There is already a ban on such journeys but there are concerns that people are still breaking the rules to get to a rural bolthole.
If the police forces ask for a strengthening of existing measures the Welsh government is expected to grant their request.
Other changes coming into force tomorrow include extending social distancing requirements to cafes accessible by the public in hospitals and to those responsible for canteens in schools, prisons and for those used by the armed forces.
Mr Drakeford will today spell out seven questions which will determine when the stay-at-home measures could be relaxed.
Those seven questions will include whether easing would have an effect on the spread of the disease, if there would be a low risk of infection, and whether any relaxed restrictions could be enforced.
He is also expected to detail some of the areas where restrictions could be lifted when the time is deemed to be appropriate.
Downing Street continues to refuse to set out its own end-of-lockdown strategy with Health Secretary Matt Hancock today insisting his preference is for the UK to move together as one on the issue.