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New rules on exercise in Wales will be coming into force on Saturday, February 20, amid a slight easing of lockdown restrictions.
Wales will remain in coronavirus alert level four for the next three weeks, but the number of people who can meet outdoors for exercise has risen from two to four.
First Minister Mark Drakeford told BBC Radio Wales: “Our top priority will remain schools but the number of people who can meet up outside will increase from two to four.”
The four people need to still live in the same locality and can start and finish their exercise from their own front door.
“The stay at home messages continues,” Mr Drakeford said.
“We are slowly moving into some better weather, and we know the mental health impact of having to remain at home. If four people can meet up for exercise we hope that is a marginal easement.”
He added that more elite athletes will be allowed to go into training.
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Mr Drakeford revealed he has also held talks with members of the tourism industry in Wales to look at the possibility of opening some forms of holiday accommodation by Easter.
He was very cautious, warning that a lot can happen in six weeks, but said that the Welsh Government was looking at the possibility of some “limited” re-opening of self-contained accommodation only. This year, Easter falls on the first weekend of April, with Good Friday on April 2.
“We are looking at opening places where people don’t mix with other people, where there aren’t shared facilities,” he explained to BBC Breakfast.
“That is how we began the re-opening of tourism in Wales last year. If we can bring that forward to Easter I know that will be some relief to many hundreds of thousands of families in Wales. Six weeks is a very long time, so we will have to make that final decision closer to the time.”
Furthermore, non-essential shops and hairdressers could soon reopen in Wales providing the situation around coronavirus continues to improve — you can read the full details on that here. The Welsh Government has confirmed that it will be looking at the restrictions around non-essential retail and close contact services as part of its next 21-day review which will end on Friday, March 12.
Lifting restrictions around non-essential retail and close contact services would include hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists, dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers. This is likely to be a staggered approach so no specific date has been set.
And the Welsh Government says all primary pupils and some older students will return to schools and colleges from Monday, March 15 if the public health situation continues to improve.
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