19th October 2020
| Mallory Gray
A circuit-breaker - or ‘fire-break’ - national lockdown has
been announced by the Welsh Government, and is scheduled to commence on Friday
23rd October 2020.
The press release regarding the announcement
can be found here https://gov.wales/national-coronavirus-fire-break-to-be-introduced-in-wales-on-friday
As a result, ‘non-essential’ businesses and private
facilities will be required to close from 6pm on Friday, until Monday 9th
November.
Any current local lockdown regulations will be superseded by
the new national lockdown rules.
FAQs, in particular with regards to sport and exercise,
during the fire-break lockdown can be found here https://gov.wales/coronavirus-circuit-break-frequently-asked-questions#section-53257
While people will be asked to stay
at home during this time, Welsh Government has contemporaneously acknowledged the importance of exercise for the nation’s physical
and mental health; The public will therefore be permitted to leave home to
exercise outdoors during the lockdown, but exercise should start at home, or as
close to it as possible - and exercise must be undertaken either alone, or
with members of your household (and/or a carer) ONLY.
Businesses affected by enforced
closure may wish to consult the Business Wales website for regularly
updated guidance about support and resources available to them. As an example, businesses covered by the small business
rates relief scheme are due to receive a £1,000 grant payment.
More details will be available here https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/covid-19-business-support-finder
Cricket Wales urges the Welsh Cricket family to continue to
play its part in the national effort to counter the Coronavirus, and to help
each other to stay safe and well, both physically and mentally.
We will continue to liaise with Sport Wales and the Welsh
Sports Association, alongside colleagues in Welsh Government, and will update
clubs and participants on the likely implications for sport following the
fire-break as soon as further details emerge.