Yr Arglwydd Elis-Thomas AS/MS Y Dirprwy Weinidog Diwylliant, Chwaraeon a Thwristiaeth Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism

Eich cyf/Your ref NR1223 Ein cyf/Our ref DET/00684/20

Nick Ramsay MS Member of the for Monmouth The Grange 16 Maryport Street Usk Monmouthshire NP15 1AB [email protected]

10 June 2020

Dear Nick Ramsay MS,

Thank you for your recent letter to MS, Minister for Health and Social Services, on behalf of your constituent Clive Williams. I am replying as the matter falls within my portfolio.

Revised guidance on exercising during the coronavirus lockdown was published on the website on 29 May. The link to the guidance is attached below, together with a link to the guidance on the regulations themselves. https://gov.wales/guidance-changes-coronavirus-regulations-1-june https://gov.wales/changes-coronavirus-regulations-1-june-frequently-asked-questions

The changes mean that any kind of outdoor activity, including angling, can now be undertaken as long as it is local, which generally means within about 5 miles of a person’s home, and it is line with social distancing guidelines.

For ease of reference I have quoted the relevant sections of the frequently asked questions below.

Can I travel to do sports outside my local area?

If your preferred form of exercise or leisure is one that can only be undertaken in specific locations, this still needs to be carried out locally. Examples of this might include golf, angling or watersports. If there is a place where you can do these within your local area, Canolfan Cyswllt Cyntaf / First Point of Contact Centre: Bae Caerdydd • Cardiff Bay 0300 0604400 Caerdydd • Cardiff [email protected] CF99 1SN [email protected]

Rydym yn croesawu derbyn gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwn yn ateb gohebiaeth a dderbynnir yn Gymraeg yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn arwain at oedi.

We welcome receiving correspondence in Welsh. Any correspondence received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and corresponding in Welsh will not lead to a delay in responding. then you are free to do so, but it would not be permissible to drive outside your local area for these purposes.

However, we recognise there are certain forms of exercise which, though you start locally, may temporarily take you further afield. For example, a strong cyclist may get their exercise through bike rides of 40 miles or more. Exercise as a form of “active” travel in this way (a long cycle ride, run or walk) is now allowed, as long as the exercise starts and finishes from home.

That said, it is important not to risk spreading the virus by breaking that exercise and stopping or congregating with others outside your local area. Crowded places should be avoided, and social distancing should be maintained. The rules on gathering with others also mean that while you can now exercise with people from one other household, group activities are still not allowed.

Do the Welsh rules apply to people coming to Wales from other parts of the UK?

Yes, the rules apply to everyone in Wales. People should not be travelling beyond their local area into Wales, or long journeys within Wales without a reasonable excuse as this risks spreading the virus.

I hope you and your constituent find this information helpful.

Yours sincerely,

Yr Arglwydd Elis-Thomas AS/MS Y Dirprwy Weinidog Diwylliant, Chwaraeon a Thwristiaeth Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism