• Clarification on who can stay in holiday accommodation

From 17 May, Wales moved into Alert Level 2 which means that all holiday accommodation can re-open fully.  However, businesses still need to ensure that their holiday accommodation (which includes hotel rooms, bed and breakfast accommodation, hostel or bunk house dormitory, holiday home, caravans and tents) is only occupied by people in the same household and people in their extended household (or anyone who is a carer of a member of the household). 

  • Updated Hostels Guidance

As we look at a phased re-opening, Hostel owners and managers need to be aware of and following the updated guidance for Hostels which can be found in the UKHospitality Wales Guidance. This should be read in addition to the Guidance for Tourism and Hospitality businesses.  As each hostel is different, owners and managers should read all guidance to understand the measures to be considered to re-open the business safely.

  • Guidance and live performances in hospitality settings

Loud noises, which will require people to raise their voices or shout and therefore increase aerosol spread, must be avoided. To that end businesses should ensure that TV broadcasts and recorded music should be kept at background level. Dancing, singing and live performances are not permitted at this time. Businesses need to be mindful of any noise nuisance from the premises at all times. This is outlined in the UKHospitality Wales Guidance

  • Events 

Events (other than Life Events) are still prohibited. The Welsh Government is running a second phase of pilot events in Wales (May and early June). The lessons learned from these pilots will help to inform Welsh Government’s review process on when events can recommence and at what scale, when the public health position allows. 

  • What is meant by an organised activity?  

Organised activities encompass a broad range of activities that can be attended by people of any age. This includes activities such as team sports, exercise classes, meetings of religious groups and support groups. During these activities, up to 50 people of any age will be able to gather from a mix of households as long as they remain outdoors. If the organised activity is taking place indoors, the maximum number of people aged 11 and over that can take part is 30.

Organised activities do not include activities such as parties or wider social gatherings of families and friends beyond the arrangements for meeting other people. Organised activities must not take place in private homes, including in the gardens or grounds. Organised activities must not involve the consumption of alcohol.

An organised activity must be organised by a business, public body or a charitable, benevolent, educational or philanthropic institution, a club or political organisation, or the national governing body of a sport or other activity. The organiser of the activity must meet requirements in the regulations to take all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus and must carry out a risk assessment.

Organised activity includes business meetings and is permitted in Alert Level 2 as 30 indoors/50 outdoors with social distancing in place.

About Eirlys Jones

Eirlys is the Commercial Director at North Wales Tourism and can be contacted at eirlys.jones@gonorthwales.org.uk or connect with her on LinkedIn you can also follow her on Twitter @EirlysJones5