What you can and can't do in Wales as concerns raised about getting together at Christmas
| Date | 09 December 2020 |
| Published date | 09 December 2020 |
| Publication title | WalesOnline (Wales) |
But latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show the death rate in Wales for the week ending November 27 is a third higher than over the border in England and Welsh Government advisers say that the figure is above the worst-case scenario modelling.
Cases are on the rise in the majority of health authorities and the infection rate across Wales now stands at 350 per 100,000 people based on the seven days up to December 6. This is an increase from 326.8 from the day before. You can see the infection rates in your area here.
But many people are feeling confused about what they can and can't do and with a stark warning by Welsh health experts that Christmas get-togethers should be postponed we have looked at exactly what you can and can't do in Wales at the moment.
Here are your questions answered.
What are the national measures
The main things Welsh Government are asking people to do are:
Stay out of each other’s homes except in very limited circumstances Limit the times you leave your home and the distance you travel When you do leave home please try and reduce how many people you see. It is better to see the same one or two people regularly than to see lots of different people occasionally Maintain social distancing including outdoors Meet people outdoors rather than indoors where possible, even in circumstances where the law allows you to meet indoors Work from home if you can Wash your hands regularly and follow other advice on hygiene Self-isolate if you show symptoms of coronavirus Can you be fined if you don’t follow the guidance
Some of this guidance is not the law and so will not be enforced by the police.
However, even when things are permitted, the Welsh Government is asking people to "think carefully about what is the most sensible thing for you to do to protect your family, friends and your community, rather than thinking about what the law allows you to do".
There are also still some laws which people can be fined up to £10,000 for breaching. Here are the main requirements:
Other than in very limited circumstances people must not enter each other’s homes or gardens When you meet people you don’t live with away from your home then in most circumstances the absolute maximum number of people meeting should be four not including any children aged under 11 Face coverings must be worn in indoor public places You must self-isolate when you are told to do so by NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect. How have the rules on self-isolation changed
From Thursday, December 10, the coronavirus self-isolation and quarantine period will be reduced from 14 days to 10 days.
Evidence indicates people are unlikely to be infectious as a contact after this time.
The new rule applies to any individual who has been identified as a contact of someone with coronavirus or any travellers from non-exempt countries.
From Thursday the self-isolation period will be the same for those who are identified as contacts and those who have tested positive for the virus.
Wales' chief medical officer, Dr Frank Atherton, has endorsed the amendment to the coronavirus regulations.
The new self-isolation and quarantine advice applies to the following people:
people who have received a positive test result for Covid-19 people with symptoms of Covid-19 who are waiting for a test result or who have not been tested and do not require hospital treatment who must remain at home for the appropriate self-isolation period people living in households with someone who shows symptoms that may be caused by Covid-19 or who has received a positive test result for Covid-19 close contacts of positive cases of Covid-19 travellers returning from a non-exempt country My child has been told to self-isolate. Are they under a duty to self-isolate
Children aged 16 and 17 are generally notified directly by NHS Wales Test Trace Protect. In those circumstances the child is treated as an adult and must isolate according to the same rules.
In the case of younger children it will be the parent, guardian, or other responsible adult who...
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