PART 3E+WMinimising risk of exposure to coronavirus at open premises and while working
Reasonable measures to minimise risk of exposure to coronavirusE+W
12.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies to a person responsible for—
(a)open premises, or
(b)work carried out at any other premises where a person is working.
(2) For the purposes of minimising the risk of exposure to coronavirus at the premises, the person must—
(a)take all reasonable measures to ensure—
(i)that a distance of 2 metres is maintained between any persons on the premises (except between two members of the same household, or a carer and the person assisted by the carer);
(ii)where persons are required to wait to enter the premises, that a distance of 2 metres is maintained between them (except between two members of the same household, or a carer and the person assisted by the carer),
(b)take any other reasonable measures for that purpose, for example measures which limit close face to face interaction and maintain hygiene such as—
(i)changing the layout of premises including the location of furniture and workstations;
(ii)controlling use of entrances, passageways, stairs and lifts;
(iii)controlling use of shared facilities such as toilets and kitchens;
(iv)otherwise controlling the use of, or access to, any other part of the premises;
(v)installing barriers or screens;
(vi)providing or requiring use of personal protective equipment, and
(c)provide information to those entering or working at the premises about how to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus.
(3) In these Regulations “open premises” means—
(a)premises of a business or service listed in Schedule 4;
(b)places of worship;
(c)cemeteries;
F1(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e)premises of a business listed in Schedule 2 which are permitted to be open by virtue of regulation 7(2);
F2(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(g)crematoriums F3...;
(h)community centres permitted to open by virtue of regulation 10(4).
(4) For the purposes of this regulation “premises” also includes a vehicle used to provide a [F4public transport service].
Textual Amendments
F1Reg. 12(3)(d) omitted (3.8.2020) by virtue of The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/820), regs. 1, 2(5)(b) (with reg. 3)
F2Reg. 12(3)(f) omitted (25.7.2020) by virtue of The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/803), regs. 1(3), 2(4) (with reg. 4)
F3Words in reg. 12(3)(g) omitted (27.7.2020) by virtue of The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/803), regs. 1(4), 3(6)(a) (with reg. 4)
F4Words in reg. 12(4) substituted (27.7.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/803), regs. 1(4), 3(6)(b) (with reg. 4)
Commencement Information
I1Reg. 12 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(d)
I2Reg. 12 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)
[F5Requirement to wear face covering on public transportE+W
12A.—(1) A person (“P”) who is travelling as a passenger on a vehicle used to provide a public transport service must wear a face covering.
(2) But this is not required—
(a)where an exemption applies under paragraph (3);
(b)where P has a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering, as to which see paragraph (4).
(3) An exemption to the requirement to wear a face covering applies—
(a)where P is a child under the age of 11;
(b)on a vehicle providing a school transport service;
(c)on a ferry where—
(i)the part of the ferry which is open to passengers is entirely outdoors, or
(ii)a distance of at least 2 metres can be maintained between persons on the part of the ferry which is open to passengers;
(d)on a cruise ship;
(e)where P is allocated a cabin, berth or other similar accommodation on the vehicle, at any time when P is in that accommodation—
(i)alone, or
(ii)only with members of P’s household or a member of the household’s carer;
(f)where—
(i)P is permitted, or ordinarily required, to board and to stay in a vehicle when using the public transport service,
(ii)the vehicle is not itself used for the provision of a public transport service, and
(iii)P stays in that vehicle;
(g)on an aircraft which neither took off from, nor is to land at, a place in Wales;
(h)on a vessel which does not dock at a port in Wales.
(4) The circumstances in which P has a reasonable excuse to not wear a face covering include—
(a)where P is unable to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability (within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010);
(b)where P has to remove the face covering to communicate with another person who has difficulty communicating (in relation to speech, language or otherwise);
(c)where P has to remove the face covering in order to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to themselves or others;
(d)where P is travelling to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and does not have a face covering;
(e)where P has to remove the face covering to—
(i)take medication;
(ii)eat or drink, if this is allowed on the vehicle and is reasonably necessary (for example due to the length of the journey);
(f)where P is asked to remove the face covering by—
(i)an enforcement officer, or
(ii)the operator of the public transport service, an employee of the operator or a person authorised by the operator.
(5) An operator of a public transport service to which paragraph (1) applies must provide information to passengers about the requirement to wear face coverings on their vehicles.
(6) For the purposes of this regulation a “school transport service” means any transport service provided solely for the purpose of—
(a)carrying a person to and from the school or other place at which the person receives education or training, or
(b)otherwise facilitating a person’s attendance at a school or other place at which the person receives education or training.]
Textual Amendments
F5Reg. 12A inserted (27.7.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/803), regs. 1(4), 3(7) (with reg. 4)
Guidance on minimising exposureE+W
13.—(1) A person required to take reasonable measures under regulation 12 must have regard to guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers about those measures.
[F6(1A) An operator of a public transport service to which regulation 12A applies must have regard to guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers about—
(a)the requirement to wear a face covering in accordance with paragraphs (1) to (4) of regulation 12A and the enforcement of that requirement under regulation 18;
(b)providing information to passengers in accordance with paragraph (5) of regulation 12A.]
(2) The Welsh Ministers—
(a)may revise guidance issued under paragraph (1) [F7or (1A)], and
(b)must publish the guidance (and any revisions).
(3) Guidance under this regulation may incorporate (by reference or transposition) guidance, codes of practice or other documents published by another person (for example, a trade association, body representing members of an industry or a trade union).
Textual Amendments
F6Reg. 13(1A) inserted (27.7.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/803), regs. 1(4), 3(8)(a) (with reg. 4)
F7Words in reg. 13(2)(a) inserted (27.7.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/803), regs. 1(4), 3(8)(b) (with reg. 4)
Commencement Information
I3Reg. 13 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(d)
I4Reg. 13 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)