Covid-19 Restrictions in Wales - FAQs

Please be aware that Government guidance and laws are always evolving - if we become aware of any changes we will update here. Please always check that you are insured for any activity you are doing, and make sure you have permission to use any public outdoor spaces.

When working within the guidance below, we would urge everyone to exercise caution and prioritise the safety of themselves, clients and the wider community. Please always maintain social distancing and good hygiene protocols.

Updated 10 May 2021

FAQs

What are the rules on outdoor activities?

Exercise is allowed outdoors with members of your own household, or up to 6 people from 6 households (excluding any carers or children under 11).

Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people can take place, including group exercise and team sports. The organiser of the activity must take all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus and must carry out a risk assessment.

Anyone aged under 18 on 31 August 2020 can take part in organised activities for the development and wellbeing of children, which could include organised sport activities. There are currently no set limits on the numbers of children that can take part in these organised activities. However, organisers should be mindful of the requirements around social distancing and ensure they limit the number of places to that which can be safely accommodated in the space available.

Do I or my clients need to check in using the NHS Track & Trace app for outdoor sport, PT or exercise sessions?

When running sessions outdoors or indoors, you should download your own QR code poster and ensure all participants over the age of 16 check-in before taking part in the class. Where participants cannot scan QR codes, you must manually record their attendance in accordance with GDPR regulations, keep details of all class attendees for 21 days and provide all data to NHS Test and Trace if requested. There is more information here.

If you are working in a gym or other facility, they should be displaying a QR code, which you and your clients should scan before your session.

Can I work with more than one client or group per day (outdoors) provided there is no overlap?

There is no limit on how many clients you can work with in a day, as long as you leave a sensible time gap between sessions to avoid any overlap, and encourage participants to disperse quickly once each session is finished.

Can outdoor sports facilities open?

Outdoor sport and leisure facilities, such as parks, children’s playgrounds, tennis courts, golf courses and bowling greens, can open. Facilities that are mainly outdoors but have some shelter, for example, golf driving ranges, can also open.

How far can I or my clients travel to take part in exercise or sport?

There are no restrictions in place for travel into or out of Wales as long as you are travelling to or from a country within the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

Can I use equipment for outdoor PT sessions?

Where possible you should run sessions without using equipment, or the client/s should provide their own. If you need to provide equipment for a client, you must make sure it is thoroughly sanitised before and after each use.

Can I use a gazebo or similar structure for outdoor sessions?

You can use a gazebo or canopy, provided it is open on two sides, provides adequate ventilation and does not create an enclosed space.

Can I run training sessions in a private garden?

Up to 6 people from 6 households (not including children under 11) are permitted to meet in private gardens, with social distancing. Visitors can go through the house to reach the garden, but must not stay in the house.

Do I need to wear a face covering?

Face coverings must be worn in all indoor public places by anyone aged 11 and over (staff and customers), unless you are doing an activity (such as strenuous exercise) that would make it difficult to breathe. Instructors should wear a face covering, unless wearing it impedes your ability to give instructions to the group.


The World Health Organisation advises against wearing a face covering when exercising as sweat can make a face covering become wet more quickly, making it difficult to breathe and promoting the growth of microorganisms. There is more detailed information here.

Can I run personal training sessions inside a private home?

Work carried out in people’s homes, including close contact service providers, can continue as long as it is managed in a safe way and both the worker and household members are well and have no symptoms of coronavirus. Physical distancing will need to be observed whenever you can.

People working in someone else’s home must take all reasonable measures to ensure they mitigate the risk of coronavirus spreading when working in other people’s households. Please see the guidance on reasonable measures and on working in other people’s homes for more information.

Can indoor gyms, leisure centres, sports and community facilities open?

From 3 May, some indoor sport facilities such as gyms, fitness facilities, leisure centres and swimming pools can also open for individual use, with members of your own household, 1:1 personal training or in a group of up to 15 people as part of an organised outdoor activity.

These organised activities can take place as long as they are undertaken in line with Covid-secure guidance, including social distancing and with a minimum of 100 square feet (10ft x 10ft) or 9.3 sq m per person.

There is Welsh Government guidance on sport and leisure facilities here.

Indoor recreation facilities, such as trampoline parks and indoor play centres must remain closed. A full list of types of businesses required to close is available here.

Community centres can also reopen from 3 May.

Can group exercise classes take place indoors?

From 3 May, indoor group activity for under-18s can restart. There is no limit on numbers but you should still respect physical distancing requirements and the wider guidance on gathering indoors.

From 3 May, indoor group activity for adults can restart, limited to a maximum of 15 people including the instructor.

These organised activities can take place as long as they are undertaken in line with Covid-secure guidance, including social distancing and with a minimum of 100 square feet (10ft x 10ft) or 9.3 sq m per person.

Are there exceptions for children and young people?

Children under 11 do not count towards the limits on gathering for outdoor exercise.

For school settings, please see the Welsh Government guidance for education.

Are there exceptions for people with disabilities?

The Welsh Government guidance states that you can enter people’s homes, or let people into your home, to provide or receive care. This enables help to be provided to someone who needs it, such as an older person, a child or a vulnerable adult. This covers any form of care, provided by any person, to somebody who is vulnerable. For more detail, see the “Caring for others” section here.

Are there exceptions for elite sports coaching and training?

Professional and elite sportspeople (and their coaches if necessary, or parents/guardians if they are under 18) - or those on an official elite sports pathway - are permitted to meet in larger groups to compete and train. Spectators will continue to be prohibited from attending sporting events.