Covid: 'Better to see the same one or two people' after Wales lockdown

The risk is lower the fewer people we meet, the Welsh Government guidance says

People should limit themselves to seeing the same one or two friends or family after 9 November, the Welsh Government has said.

Advice on the Covid-19 rules that begin after the firebreak in Wales urges people to be "restrained".

Four people "is an absolute maximum" sized group in most situations outside the home, "not a target".

New household bubbles can be formed because "the slate is effectively wiped clean", the advice says.

After the two-week firebreak, Wales-wide rules will replace the network of local lockdowns that existed before 23 October.

There is no legal limit on how far people can travel within Wales. Household bubbles with families in England are permitted, as long as that is allowed under the English rules at the time.

Crossing the border to visit family and friends outside your bubble is not allowed "although we hope to be able to welcome you in the not too distant future".

People will need a "reasonable excuse" to enter or leave Wales after 9 November, meaning holidays abroad or to other parts of the UK are not allowed for the time being.

Anyone with a pre-booked holiday is advised to talk to their travel company and check their insurance.

Holidays within Wales are permitted, but people from other parts of the UK or from overseas cannot come.

Ministers have said they hope to see UK-wide arrangements in place at Christmas so people can see relatives.

The rules will be reviewed after two weeks.

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Children under 11 do not form part of the headcount of four.

"However, this is a maximum and not a target - the smaller the number of people who gather, the lower the risk", the document says.

The advice adds that "you can in theory vary the people you meet, but we ask you please to try and be restrained in how many different people you see".

"It is better to see the same one or two people regularly than to see lots of different people occasionally."

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