Shielding people can meet others and exercise outdoors from tomorrow – Welsh Government
People who are shielding from coronavirus will be able to meet others and exercise outdoors from tomorrow, Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething has announced today.
There are two changes to the advice for this group:
- Outdoor exercise is unlimited, as long as individuals strictly follow social distancing rules and hygiene practices.
- Those who are shielding can meet outside with people from another household – but should not go into another person’s house or share food with them.
There are no other changes being made to the advice for those who are shielding at this stage, he said, and people who are shielding should continue to follow all the other advice previously given.
They should not go shopping or attend work outside of home, and they should continue to have food and medicine delivered to them.
This advice comes from Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton, who said: “Risk can never be completely eliminated but we advise those shielding to exercise at times that are less busy, so the risk of contact with others is reduced.
“We have advised everyone in Wales to maintain social distance of 2 meters and keep good hygiene when meeting outdoors. For those who are shielding, strictly following these rules is vital.”
‘Challenging’
Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething said that he was “pleased that so many have been shielding so diligently – not only protecting themselves but also helping to protect our NHS”.
“We recognise how challenging these last few months, with minimal face-to-face contact with others, has been.
“I am incredibly proud of all those who have and continue to provide the vital support to enable people to shield. Our Local Authority partners, pharmacies, volunteers and major food retailers have all pulled together to make shielding possible.”
The Chief Medical Officer is continuing to develop his advice for shielding people after 15 June, he said. All who are shielding will receive a letter from the Chief Medical Officer for Wales in the coming fortnight setting out the next steps.
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May I remind folk that spray from a cough/sneeze can be 4 meters? Take care in shops, etc.
What he said. “They should not go shopping or attend work outside of home, and they should continue to have food and medicine delivered to them.” They won’t be going into shops.
Her indoors is one of the shielding and even before the virus she was careful in supermarkets, keeping her distance from others and wearing gloves to push the trolley. All this does is allow some very ill people to enjoy some fresh air. I can’t see her taking up abseiling any time soon.
Abseiling may not be any good but hang gliding might get her away from any superspreaders at ground level !. Any way best of luck the pair of you in avoiding Covid and its carriers.
You’re surely writing tongue in cheek, JH? The situation is beyond parody. Just put my wig on to read Coronavirus (Wales) Regs No.5. They are now so nit-picking that something becomes obvious. Simpler to scrap the lot. If anyone is genuinely worried by a 4 metre sneeze, and they are not pulling my leg, the answer’s simple. You take your precautions. I’ll take mine. Normal life in other words.