CONCERNS have been expressed that Welsh Government plans to allow two households in the same local area to meet outdoors from Monday will directly penalise rural communities.

In a letter to First Minister Mark Drakeford, Powys councillor Iain McIntosh says he fears the five mile restriction has been put in place with little thought for those who live in rural areas.

“I believe the population of Cardiff is approximately a third of a million people who, if the five mile rule is implemented, will be able to enjoy their freedom in most of the city,” said Councillor McIntosh

“There are also other densely populated areas in South Wales below the M4 corridor where this announcement will be a huge step towards residents lives being returned to normal. However, in the rest of Wales north of the M4, particularly rural areas such as the Yscir ward I represent, this announcement will make very little difference as many residents will still barely be able to reach their local village.

 

“I can only assume that when making the decision to issue this announcement today, consideration was only given to South Wales yet again? I also can’t help feeling that many people would think this is yet another policy created to be different to the rest of the UK, just for the sake of being different to the rest of the UK?,” he added.

In announcing the relaxation of the lockdown restriction and the five mile limit, Mr Drakeford said its aim was to allow families and friends to meet while still observing social distancing and strict hand washing to control the spread of the virus.

He added that social distancing and hand hygiene would still have to be adhered to when meeting outdoors, and “not generally” travelling more than five miles to stop coronavirus from spreading.This, he said, would need to be adhered to “carefully and sensibly” with people using “their own judgement” in regards to the “geographies of Wales”.The changes follow the third statutory review of the regulations by Welsh Ministers. The review is based on the latest scientific evidence from SAGE and the advice of the Chief Medical Officer for Wales.

Wales has passed the first peak of infection and rates are falling but the R rate remains at 0.8. Both SAGE and the World Health Organisation has advised changes should only be made one step at a time.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“We recognise what people have given up to help Wales slow the spread of coronavirus. I want to thank everyone for everything they have done – by sticking to the rules, we are all helping to protect each other and help our NHS respond to the pandemic.

“We know people are missing seeing their family and friends – the latest evidence, which underpins this review, means we can make some changes, to enable people to meet again, if it is done outdoors and locally, and people continue to follow the social distancing guidance.

“We are learning more about this virus every day and we know the risk of transmission is lower outdoors than indoors. That’s why, if we all remain two metres apart, two households will be able to meet outdoors, including in private gardens.

“However, a lower risk doesn’t mean no risk. Even in these circumstances it is vital we all maintain social distancing so we can continue to tackle the spread of this virus.

“Now and in the days and months ahead we all have a personal responsibility to make sure our actions don’t contribute to the spread of coronavirus. Please help keep Wales safe by staying local.”

The changes to the regulations will come into force on Monday and include:

Allowing members of two separate households in the same local area to meet outdoors at any one time as long as they maintain social distancing. There is a low risk of infection if the 2m physical distancing rule is maintained while outdoors. This does not need to be the same people from the same household every time. ‘Local’ means not travelling more than five miles from home;

The two households can meet in private outdoor spaces, such as gardens, but this comes with a higher risk of infection as people may have to pass through someone’s private home to reach a garden. The Welsh Government will provide guidance about the precautions which can be taken to minimise these risks;

Allowing weddings and civil partnerships to take place if the bride or groom is terminally ill.

The need to stay local and not mix with others other than in certain circumstances will be subject to exceptions similar to those that currently apply. Guidance will be provided about what staying local means in different circumstances.

Beauty and tourist spots will remain closed.

The First Minister also signalled that non-essential retail businesses, which can comply with the physical distancing duty, should start to prepare to reopen over the next three weeks. A decision about whether non-essential retail will reopen will be taken at the next review on 18 June and will depend on the scientific and medical evidence.

At the next review, the Welsh Government will examine options for:

Re-opening non-essential retail

Increasing capacity for childcare and public transport to support a wider return to work

Facilitating moving house to boost the housing market

Re-opening outdoors sites, including outdoor markets, sports courts, outdoor showrooms, and outdoor museums

Re-opening facilities for non-professional elite athletes to train safely.

The First Minister added:

“I am signalling to businesses across Wales that they may begin preparations to be ready to resume activity in these areas should the evidence support reopening.

“This will allow us to restart activity as soon as possible if the conditions allow. We will continue to work closely with the public sector, trade unions, businesses, the third sector and others to achieve this.”