The Welsh Government has now published updates to all our Guidance documents (05/08/20) Taking all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus in workplaces and premises open to the public  which covers the circumstances when there is no alternative but to go below 2m.
 
Two metres remains the default position, but it is recognised that in some circumstances , such as delivering food to a table, that will not be possible. Everything possible should be done to implement mitigating measures, it is for business owners to consider this as part of the risk assessment but as indicated in the guidance examples would include:

•         improved respiratory hygiene – for example by providing more bins for used tissues
•         more frequent cleaning, in particular of shared facilities such as toilets and kitchens
•         encouragement of washing hands well for 20 seconds with soap regularly and after close contact or touching
•         provision of extra hand-washing facilities and ensuring adequate supplies

•         controlling use of premises, for example by:
o        reducing the number of people on premises at any one time including by adopting an appointment system
o        controlling entry and exit points, including where possible requiring to enter through one door and exit through another
o        controlling the way people walk around premises
o        re-arranging furniture or workplaces in such a way as to reduce face to face interaction

•         minimising loud noises which will require people to shout

•         avoiding close face to face interaction, for example by:
o        seating people back to back or front to back
o        erecting physical barriers or screens between people.
o        wearing appropriate protective equipment such as three-layered face coverings which comply with WHO guidance.
 
Note: The onus is on the business to comply with guidance, including collecting TTP data, and Welsh Government is looking to protect those who are complying, by developing additional powers for Local authorities to close businesses that are not complying.

The First Minister has announced that, from 3rd August:

• The restrictions preventing more than two households or extended households meeting outdoors will be changed to allow up to 30 people to meet outdoors. However, physical distancing must be maintained at all times.
• Pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes will be able to re-open indoors. As will indoor bowling alleys, auction houses and bingo halls.
• Licensed wedding venues will be able to re-open to provide wedding ceremonies, but crucially indoor receptions will not be able to take place for the time being. Wedding venues will be considered as part of the changes for August 15.
• The guidance will be updated to relax the position of children under 11 having to maintain a 2 metres distance from each other or from adults.

 
`       If conditions remain favourable, from 10 August:

• Swimming pools, indoor fitness studios, gyms, spas and indoor leisure centres will be able to re-open.
• Children’s indoor play areas will be able to open.

 
https://gov.wales/tourism-and-hospitality-businesses-guidance-phased-reopening-html

The new industry guide and toolkit of assets (Addo/Visit Wales.Safely.) are now available. Welsh and English versions all on this link to the Wales brand kit site . In practical format it is based on industry feedback from forum members in particular and will be regularly updated. It currently includes:

• Industry guidance document giving overview of the visitor promise ‘Addo’ including case studies of tourism businesses who are doing good things – these will be added to with serviced, activity and other examples – all related to the three tenets of Addo – Care for each other; Care for our epic land, Care for our communities
• Branded posters for businesses to print and display or share  - Visit Wales currently has posters to encourage social distancing, good hand hygiene and booking in advance 
• Addo logo lock ups for businesses/destination partners to use on your own marketing material and websites
• Addo “promise on a page”
• WG poster explaining maintaining records of staff, customer and visitors and also a handy template for data collection
• WG poster explaining what visitors need to do if they fall ill whilst on holiday in Wales – important for displaying at tourism businesses and sharing with customers
• There is also a collection of images that have been carefully selected to reflect open spaces, social distancing and no crowds and available to use - https://assets.wales.com/pages/assets?tags=VWS

 
 
To make it easy for you to have a flavour, I’ve attached the main document and please use this link to view some examples
​

DCMS launched an inquiry in April to gather experiences from the diverse sectors under it's remit on how Covid-19 was affecting them.
Section 4 deals with the impact on tourism, however it is obviously a little retrospective. It recognises the extreme impact of the lock-down foe example 'Visitor attractions, including museums and galleries, are being hit hard as a result. Not only are these organisations facing an end to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in October, they have also largely depleted their financial reserves and are looking at the prospect of only being able to open at a reduced capacity with social distancing measures in place'. 

Also of note it gives recognition to issues of 'capacity constraints that arise from the requirements of social distancing make yield management and smoothing out demand more important than ever. The Eat Out to Help Out programme will help shift some demand to trough days. Doubtless attractions, transport providers and lodgings will re-examine their own promotional programmes to maximise yield in these circumstances, and where relevant, attractions will look at their opening hours/days.

The report calls for DCMS to go further in supporting work to reduce the seasonality of the UK tourism industry. Noting its importance ofr next years, due to the problem of booking deferrals and concomitant loss of income for a second year in a row. In its response to this report, DCMS should set out its plans for supporting an extension of the holiday season.

Also an issue that WTA has called for as a matter of urgency, DCMS should introduce a Tourism Data Hub to assess visitor intention for 2021 so that the industry can plan ahead for next year. 

​The full report can be downloaded from 

Business Secretary Alok Sharma made a statement in the House of Commons (16/07/20) on the Government’s plans for seamless internal trade for businesses across the  UK once the UK leaves the transition period at the end of the year. These plans are now open for consultation. In summary, the plans propose t
o enshrine two principles into law:

• The principle of mutual recognition, meaning that the rules governing the production and sale of goods and services in one part of the UK are recognised in the other parts of the UK, and should present no barrier to the flow of goods and services between different regulatory systems.

• The principle of non-discrimination, meaning that it is not possible for one regulatory regime to introduce rules that discriminate specifically against goods and services from another.
• From 1 January 2021, powers in at least 70 policy areas previously held at an EU level will flow directly to the devolved administrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast for the first time. This will give the devolved administrations power over more issues, without removing any of their current powers.

• Businesses will be given a ‘market access commitment’, guaranteeing that goods and services sold in one part of the UK can always be sold into another.
• The Government will also clarify in law that subsidy control is a reserved matter for the whole of the United Kingdom, and not devolved, meaning the whole of the UK will have one domestic subsidy regime.

He invited devolved administrations to work together on cross-cutting issues such as regulatory standards. Through the common frameworks approach the Government will support regulatory consistency across internal markets.
The proposals laid out in this new White Paper will remain open for consultation for four weeks (until 13 August). I

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Meeting (15) of Tourism Group – Thursday, 2 July Minutes and 26th June 2020...
​

The Home Office has announced the new points based immigration system that will take effect from 1 January 2021. It will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally. Irish citizens will continue to be able to enter and live in the UK as they do now. Relevant for tourism:

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and other non-visa nationals will not require a visa to enter the UK when visiting the UK for up to 6 months. All migrants looking to enter the UK for other reasons (such as work or study) will need to apply for entry clearance in advance.
• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will also be able to use ePassport gates (this will be kept under review).
• Until at least January 2026, the UK will continue to recognise identity cards used for travel by EU citizens and their EU family members who are both resident in the UK before the end of the transition period and hold status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The UK will also recognise ICAO-compliant identity cards from this group beyond 2026.
• For newly arriving migrants, UK intends to phase out the use of insecure identity documents and will set out further details on this shortly.

 
Permission to travel requirement:

• As part of a phased programme to 2025, the UK will introduce a universal ‘permission to travel’ requirement which will require everyone wishing to travel to the UK (except British and Irish citizens) to seek permission in advance of travel to facilitate the passage of legitimate travellers whilst keeping threats away from the UK border.
• Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) will be introduced for visitors and passengers transiting through the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays or who do not already have an immigration status prior to travelling. The ETA system will require applicants to undertake a light-touch application process, which will allow security checks to be conducted and more informed decisions taken on information obtained at an earlier stage, as to whether individuals should be allowed to travel to the UK. This will act as their permission to travel.
• The aim is to make the visa a digital document to replace the paper one and will be the equivalent of a permission to travel.
• At the border, a passport will be required to demonstrate identity. During 2021, EU citizens (other than those with protected rights under the Withdrawal Agreement) will have to use a passport rather than a national ID card to cross the border. Further details on changes to border control procedures affecting EU citizens will be announced in due course, following the negotiations on the future UK-EU relationship.

 
Points based system:

• From January 2021, the job a migrant is offered will need to be at a required skill level of RQF3 or above (equivalent to A level). Migrants will also need to be able to speak English and be paid the relevant salary threshold by their sponsor. This will either be the general salary threshold of £25,600 or the going rate for their job, whichever is higher.
• If a migrant earns less than this - but no less than £20,480 - they may still be able to apply by ‘trading’ points on specific characteristics against their salary. For example, if they have a job offer in a shortage occupation or have a PhD relevant to the job. Find more information on the points based system here.

 
Visa applications:

• New immigration routes will open later this year for applications to work, live and study in the UK from 1 January 2021. Migrants will be able to apply and pay for their visa online.
• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will need to provide a digital photo of their face using a smartphone app. They will not have to give their fingerprints. For a small number of low volume routes (to be confirmed later this year) they will need to go to an overseas visa application centre to have their photo taken.
• Non-EU citizens will continue to submit fingerprints and a photo at an overseas visa application centre.

 
EU citizens living in the UK by 31 December 2020:

• An EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in the UK before 31 December 2020 can apply with their family to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

The government has launched a new public information campaign to help businesses and individuals prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period. The campaign will target UK citizens intending to travel to Europe from 1 January 2021, UK nationals living in the EU and EU, EEA or Swiss citizens living in the UK. Business and citizens may need to take action regardless of the type of agreement reached with the EU, and the actions people and business owners need to take will vary based on their circumstances. They include:

• Making sure you are ready to travel to Europe from 1 January 2021, for example by getting comprehensive travel insurance, ensuring your passport is valid and checking your roaming policy with your mobile phone provider.
• If you want to travel to Europe with your pet from 1 January 2021, contact your vet at least 4 months before you travel.

The First Minister has set out a timetable for reopening Wales’ visitor economy following a 21-day review period. See below for the dates businesses can reopen:
 
From 11th July

• Self-contained holiday accommodation

 
From 13th July

• Hairdressing salons and barbershops, including mobile hairdressers.
• Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes outdoors.
• Outdoor cinemas.
• Indoor visitor attractions, but a small number of underground visitor attractions will remain closed for the time being because of the higher risks associated with these environments. The Welsh Government will continue to work with these attractions towards safe re-opening.
• Places of worship. Faith leaders can begin to gradually resume services when they are ready to do so safely.

 
From 20th July

• Playgrounds, community centres and outdoor gyms

 
The following provisional dates have also been announced:
 
From 25th July

• Tourist accommodation with shared facilities, such as camping sites.

 
From 27th July

• Beauty sector and other close-contact services, including tattooists and nail salons
• Indoor cinemas, museums, galleries and archive services.

 
A final decision about reopening these sectors will depend on conditions and feedback from the initial opening of the tourism industry, indoor attractions and hairdressing sector. The next formal review is due by 30 July with detailed discussions about how indoor hospitality can operate in a coronavirus-safe way ongoing.  Options for reopening will be considered from 3 August, if conditions allow. The Welsh Government is also making changes to the regulations to allow larger gatherings of up to 30 people outdoors only where these are organised and supervised by a responsible person for sports and other leisure activities and classes. 

The law will continue to make the 2m distance the default position for physical distancing, but given the challenges faced by the hospitality, beauty industry and other sectors, where a 2m distance cannot be reasonably maintained at all times. the regulations will require businesses to put in place a set of additional measures to minimise the risk of the virus spreading.

Tourism and hospitality businesses across Mid Wales have been praised for their positive collaboration with each other and their communities, as the region prepares to reopen to visitors following the pandemic lockdown. Val Hawkins, chief executive of MWT Cymru, which represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and the Meirionnydd region of Gwynedd, is impressed by the ways many businesses are helping each other and consulting with communities about reopening.
 
As the Welsh Government continues to lift travel restrictions in Wales, pub beer gardens, restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating, self-contained accommodation and caravan holiday parks will be allowed to reopen from July 11, if cases of coronavirus continue to fall. This follows the easement of restrictions on July 6, allowing journeys to outdoor tourist attractions and destinations.

MWT has been supporting members throughout this crisis to help keep businesses informed and access financial support, working closely with Visit Wales, Mid Wales Regional Tourism Forum, Wales Tourism Alliance and local authorities.

“Collaboration is going to be more important than ever to help the tourism sector bounce back from the severe impact of the pandemic on businesses and communities across Mid Wales,” said Mrs Hawkins. “We have undertaken specific research to understand how visitors, as well as local communities, feel about reopening and we are using these insights to develop our recovery programme.”
“The tourism sector employs 23,000 people in Mid Wales and generates over £1 billion annually to the local economy. Tourism is vital, now more than ever. We need people in Wales and beyond to choose Mid Wales as a destination.
 
“However, there is a delicate balance that needs to be struck in reopening. Safety is at the forefront of everybody’s minds, and all our member businesses are committed to creating a safe experience – both for visitors and our local communities.”

MWT is encouraging all businesses in Mid Wales to sign up for Visit Britain’s new industry standard mark, ‘We're Good To Go’.

“We’re Good To Go is the official UK mark to signal that a tourism and hospitality business has worked hard to follow Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing,” said Mrs Hawkins.
 
“When you see the ‘Good To Go’ accreditation logo on our Visit Mid Wales website, you can be confident that these businesses are operating in line with Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidelines.“When visitors return, we also urge them to play their part to help keep our communities safe by practicing safe behaviours like social distancing, regular hand washing and wearing masks when in public spaces (e.g. shops, public transport).

“Visitors can help Mid Wales families and communities by shopping locally and visiting our local attractions. Every pound invested in our communities will help us recover from this pandemic.”

She added: “We must remember that even now, whilst lockdown is easing, coronavirus has not gone away. We need to adapt and recover, and this will be the collective responsibility of everyone. We hope that our visitors will support us and help Mid Wales to recover from this crisis.”
​
She said she had been heartened to see excellent examples of positive collaboration between businesses and communities during the lockdown and is confident this will continue.
 
“Businesses have been sharing ideas, creating opportunities to work together and supporting each other,” she added. “Our MWT Cymru Members Facebook Group is very active.
 
“Other businesses have used the lockdown to improve and change their accommodation ready to welcome back visitors.”
 
Mrs Hawkins quoted the awarding winning Fforest Fields caravan, camping and glamping site at Hundred House, near Llandrindod Wells as an excellent example of a member working with 13 other local businesses to respect their local community.
 
In a joint message to the community of the Edw Valley and surrounding area, the businesses said: "We are proud to call Radnorshire our home. Although each of our tourism businesses is different, we are united in safeguarding our local community as we look to re-open our businesses after lockdown.
 
“Before we are able to reopen, we want to reassure our friends and neighbours that we are treading cautiously and are focused on your safety. We are following guidelines and advice from policymakers, the Government, our governing bodies and business networks.
 
“We will do everything needed with due care and diligence. All our decisions will be weighted by our respect for our community and an understanding of the limits of our local health service.
 
“Tourism is an important sector for the local economy. Our guests come here because they love the rural beauty of Mid Wales and want to escape their day to day lives. They are respectful and supportive. We want to work to ensure there is harmony between those living and working here and those visiting when the time is right.
 
“We openly ask anyone who lives and works within the community of the Edw Valley and surrounding area to get in touch if they have any concerns or questions. We thank you for the support shown by so many of you during this difficult time for our businesses, families and teams."