What sort of exercise can I do?
The regulations do not stop any particular type of exercise, but in practice, the type of exercise allowed is constrained by some of the other restrictions put in place to control coronavirus. For example, indoor swimming pools have been closed; sports courts and leisure centres are closed and certain footpaths, beauty spots and parts of the countryside are closed. You also have to stay local.
To avoid increasing the burden on the NHS we also advise people not to take unnecessary risks while exercising.
Who can I exercise with?
You must exercise alone, with members of your household or with members of one other household. Exercising in groups with friends is still not allowed.
What about cycling?
Cycling is allowed but you must cycle alone or with members of your household or one other household. Cycling in groups larger than that is not allowed, regardless of whether social distancing practices are followed.
People are expected to only cycle on routes they know well and are well within their ability level. Cyclists on shared paths should be considerate of walkers, runners and other people cycling: they should stay 2 metres away from others, slow their pace and stop to let people pass as appropriate.
Cycling to work, or for work, is also allowed, if you can’t work from home.
Does my entire bike ride have to be in the local area?
No. 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, but the exercise must start and finish from home.
Can I drive somewhere to exercise?
Yes, as long as you will be staying within your local area. No journeys outside your local area should be taken to exercise in the countryside, at the coast or at other beauty spots, for example – many beauty spots have been closed to prevent people gathering.
You should also not travel (by car or motorcycle or using public transport) to the furthest reaches of your local area before starting your exercise to allow you to travel further outside your local area while exercising. The exception that allows people to exercise outside their local area requires the exercise to start and finish from home.
I have mobility problems and need to drive to exercise – can I do that?
Yes. People with specific health or mobility issues may need to travel by car from their home to exercise, including possibly outside the local area. For example, some wheelchair users may not be able to exercise immediately outside their homes for practical reasons. In such circumstances the journey should be to the nearest convenient accessible location.
Can gyms be open?
Gyms are not allowed to open at the moment. For the time being, we continue to advise people to exercise in their own home or outdoors.
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, then you are free to do so, but it would not be permissible to drive outside your local area for these purposes.
Can I play golf?
Yes. But it must be done locally, which means people cannot drive to play golf outside their local area, and you must play golf alone or with a member of your or one other household.
Is angling allowed?
Yes. But it must be done locally, which means people cannot drive outside their local area, and you must do so alone or with a member of your or one other household.
Why is my local park closed?
The regulations do not require parks to close. Local authorities will make decisions about whether local parks are open. We encourage people to go out to exercise but in doing that people should avoid places that can be busy (be they particular parts of parks, footpaths or other places).
Why aren’t tennis courts open?
We are continuing our discussions with Tennis Wales with regards the safe return of tennis.
When will professional sport return in Wales?
The resumption of professional sports behind closed doors is allowed under our regulations, and we are working closely with those sports to ensure a safe return.