Going out in Wales
Since the coronavirus outbreak, the Welsh Government has introduced restrictions on people’s day-to-day lives to prevent the virus from spreading. Most of these restrictions were lifted on 28 March 2022, however, some important guidance remains in place.
We have included an explanation of the rules below.
Meeting other people
- The two-metre social distancing rule no longer applies and there is no limit on the number of people who can take part in indoor or outdoor events.
- All businesses can open including nightclubs.
Work
- People should still work from home where possible. Working from home is no longer a legal requirement but it remains Welsh Government advice.
- When deciding whether to ask staff to return to workplaces, employers must consider any adverse impacts on an individual’s well-being. This includes people who are at increased risk or are clinically extremely vulnerable.
- Businesses, employers and other organisations remain under a legal duty to protect employees and customers by undertaking risk assessments and taking reasonable measures to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
Education
- The national rules requiring face coverings in education settings were lifted in February 2022, leaving schools and councils able to make local decisions. Parents and visitors should check their school’s policy on the use of face coverings.
- Welsh Government continues to advise that staff and learners in secondary schools should wear face coverings in communal areas outside the classroom.
- Exemptions apply for autistic people who are unable to put on or wear a face covering due to a physical or mental illness, or because of a condition or impairment.
- Face coverings should continue to be worn by secondary school learners on dedicated school transport unless they are exempt.
- If anyone wants to wear a face covering for personal reasons anywhere in the school, they should be permitted to do so.
- Legal duties on councils and schools relating to SEN and ALN remain in force.
- If your child develops symptoms, you should follow the latest self-isolation guidance.
For further information, see Welsh Government coronavirus guidance on schools. You can also contact our educational rights service.
Guidance for people who are self-isolating
- Since 28 March 2022, self-isolation is no longer a legal requirement in Wales but it remains Welsh Government advice.
- Contact tracing continues and you are still advised to get a lateral flow test if you have symptoms and to isolate if possible.
- Anyone who has coronavirus symptoms can order a free lateral flow test online but these tests are no longer more widely available.
- PCR tests are no longer available for the general public, only for certain groups such as health and social care staff.
- From the end of June, contact tracing, the self-isolation support scheme and free lateral flow tests will no longer be available to the public.
For further information, see Welsh Government guidance on self-isolation.
What is self-isolation?
Self-isolating means that – to help stop the spread of the virus – you shouldn’t leave your home at all. You should not go out to buy food, medication or other essentials, so you might want to ask friends and family to go shopping for you or order items online. You should tell delivery drivers, friends and family not to enter your home while you are self-isolating but they are able to leave items on your doorstep. Essential care visitors are allowed into your home when you’re self-isolating. If you don’t have access to a private garden to exercise, you can do so outside preferably during quiet times.
There are also some exceptional reasons that you can leave your home when you are self-isolating, such as to seek urgent medical assistance, to avoid serious risk of harm, or to meet a legal obligation such as attending court if it cannot be done remotely.
Medical advice and support when self-isolating
All routine medical and dental appointments should be cancelled if you and your family need to self-isolate at home. Please use 'my health online' or call your GP practice during normal surgery working hours for repeat prescriptions.
Further guidance on accessing help can be found here.
If you have symptoms or develop symptoms when self-isolating, do not try to cope for too long on your own before seeking medical assistance. You should contact NHS Wales 111 or call your GP if:
- your symptoms don’t improve after seven days
- you experience breathlessness or vomiting at any time
- tiredness stops you doing your normal daily activities.
- A baby or a child under the age of five has a temperature at any time.
Self-isolation support scheme
If you’re told to self-isolate or test positive for Covid-19 and cannot work from home, you could receive a £500 payment to help with loss of earnings. However, Welsh Government plans to close this scheme at the end of June 2022. You need to claim within 21 days of your last day of self-isolation. You usually must be in receipt of certain benefits but councils can make discretionary payments if you are on a low income and facing financial hardship.
Under the Welsh Government support scheme, a parent or carer can also apply for a payment if their child has been told to self-isolate. To qualify, parents or carers must have a child attending childcare, school or further education up to and including Year 11. If your child or the person you care for has complex or additional needs, the qualifying age is extended to 25.
Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply for the self-isolation support scheme.
Face coverings
- Since 22 March 2022, face coverings are no longer mandatory on public transport or in shops and other indoor public places. However, face coverings remain a legal requirement in health and social care settings, and are still recommended for crowded indoor places. If you would prefer to continue wearing a face covering in places where it’s no longer a legal requirement, you can.
- Although wearing a face covering is no longer a legal requirement in most indoor public places, some businesses, hospitality venues and transport operators may continue to ask people to wear one. Being autistic and finding wearing a face covering distressing is included as a good reason not to wear one under official government guidance.
You can read more about this on our face coverings page.
Exemptions
The Welsh Government has given some examples of when you don’t have to wear a face covering, which include:
- if you can’t put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- if you are helping someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
- you are escaping from danger.
You may also remove your face covering if you need to:
- take medicines
- eat or drink
- avoid harm or injury to yourself or others.
This means that if you or the person you support is autistic and finds putting a face covering on really hard or distressing, you don’t have to wear one. The Government’s list isn’t exhaustive, which means there could be other reasons why you don’t have to wear a face covering too.
We have told the Government that people enforcing these rules, as well as the public, need to know about these exemptions so that you or the person you support aren’t challenged by staff, the public or the police.
What to do if someone asks you why you’re not wearing a face covering
You do not need to prove that you are autistic to be exempt. However, we recommend you consider carrying documentation that helps to explain why you are exempt from wearing a face covering. For example, this could be a prescription, or a letter from an appropriate professional.
You can download and print our I Am Autistic Card, or you can make your own card that says you are exempt as it will help you explain why you aren’t wearing a face covering if someone asks.
- Download our I am Autistic Card
- Download our My Child is Autistic Card
- Download our This Person is Autistic Card
If you are challenged or harassed because you are not wearing a face covering, try and speak to a staff member or show them your I am Autistic card. If you don’t feel comfortable or safe to do so, you can report this to the police. It’s not okay for people, whether that’s the public or staff, to challenge people aggressively.
Individual places’ rules on face coverings
We have heard some businesses are going beyond the Government guidance and telling everyone they have to wear a face covering, even if they are exempt. This is wrong – as they should be allowing you not to wear one as a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010.