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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Karen Price

The full list of new lockdown rules in Wales from Monday as housing market restarts and non-essential shops re-open

There are some significant changes coming into force on Monday, June 22 as lockdown measures continue to ease in Wales.

From the housing market to shopping, First Minister Mark Drakeford unveiled his latest plans last Friday which will help push-start the economy.

But the stay local five-mile travel rule remains in place for now, although it's likely to be scrapped on July 6 as long as the coronavirus rate continues to fall.

Moving home

The housing market in Wales can restart from Monday.

House viewings will be allowed to take place in vacant properties and people will be able to move house where a sale has been agreed but not yet completed.

Shopping

All non-essential shops can re-open from Monday as long as retailers comply with social distancing laws.

Big shopping centres across Wales - including Cardiff, Swansea and Newport - have been busy implementing new signage, hand sanitisers and extra security among their measures.

Customers must, however, remain local, staying within five miles of their home.

The current regulations dictate that meeting people from other households is generally not permitted, unless it's outdoors and two-metre distancing is observed.

There will be new opening times at Swansea Market as it reopens on Monday (Phil Rees)

This means friends and family, who don't live together, are not permitted to visit shops together yet.

However, the Welsh Government has stated that you can shop with people from other households if the retailer is outdoors and social distancing is practised - meaning friends can visit outdoor markets together.

Follow our live blog here for all of the updates as they're announced.

Childcare

Childcare services can increase the number of children they look after from tomorrow.

Social distancing measures "should be put in place as far as is reasonably practical".

The Welsh Government said that children should "only attend one setting" though, so those who go to school as well as childcare should stay with the same group.

Officials say the expansion of childcare availability "will help those returning to work" and remind that there is "low risk" associated with children returning to such facilities.

Outdoor sports

All outdoor sport and leisure facilities - except playgrounds and outdoor gyms - will be allowed to reopen but they should take "all necessary measures" to reduce risk and maintain social distancing.

Those which now may open include:

  • outdoor tennis courts
  • outdoor bowling greens
  • outdoor basketball courts
  • outdoor golf driving ranges
  • outdoor cycling velodromes
  • outdoor athletics tracks
  • outdoor cricket nets

The update however does not permit team sports, contact sports or large gatherings.

Caerphilly Tennis Club (Matthew Horwood)

Any leisure or recreation activity between more than two households together are not allowed.

The Welsh Government said: "Some outdoor facilities carry a greater risk of transmission where surfaces or equipment are shared between people, such as playgrounds and outdoor gyms.

"Enclosed, managed, sports pitches should remain closed until team sports can resume."

This means that whilst basketball courts are now open, for example, there are restrictions in place.

You can therefore only play on a court alone or with a member of your own or one other household.

The latest information added that some elite athletes - such as Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls - are now able to resume their training programmes - with Sports Wales managing a small cohort of such athletes.

Places of worship

Places of worship will be allowed to reopen for private prayer.

It is, however, up to the discretion of each individual location whether to open for these limited purposes, with the Welsh Government noting that some places of worship may choose to remain closed.

The public should therefore contact their local place of worship to check if it's open before attending.

Visiting loved ones

The Welsh Government has also said that there are "compassionate grounds" for visiting others beyond the five-mile rule.

This includes visiting another household where someone is "suffering from a physical or mental illness," or where a household member has been recently bereaved.

It also permits visits if you're "concerned about their wellbeing for other reasons" such as loneliness.

This exception may also apply to visits to care homes, children's homes and other institutions - though visitors should contact the service provider or location before travelling.

Tourism

The new rules which come into force tomorrow don't permit holidays into or around Wales - with current law forbidding any such travelling or vacations.

The Welsh Government however states that a review will take place in the coming weeks and may result in a change to the law coming into effect on July 13.

Tenby could be open to tourists in mid July (Getty Images for IRONMAN)

The public are subsequently allowed to make "forward booking" for a stay that takes place after this date - though there are no guarantees such a holiday will go ahead.

Officials said that "this will only be able to be fulfilled if the anticipated change to the law is made" and encouraged speaking to the accommodation provider for information on their cancellation policy.

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