The First Minister has agreed to change the guidance on exercise for families where there is a medical need, including learning disabilities or Autism, to enable them to have exercise in an open space more than once a day during lockdown, following repeated calls for such action by Shadow Welsh Conservative Minister for Communities and Local Government, and Chair of the Assembly Cross Party Groups on Autism and on Disability, Mark Isherwood AM.
Last week, Mr Isherwood called on the Welsh Government to review the Health Protection Coronavirus Restrictions (Wales) Regulations, which have imposed restrictions on our lives due to Covid19, after concerns were raised by parents of young people with learning disabilities and Autism that only being allowed out once a day for exercise is negatively impacting their lives and that in England people with specific medical needs, including individuals with learning disabilities or Autism, who require specific exercise, are allowed to leave their homes to exercise in an open space two or three times each day.
Mr Isherwood stressed that while many families across the nation are struggling with children who have been locked up inside, this is amplified for families with children who have learning disabilities or Autism, and called for Wales to follow England’s lead.
Last Thursday the First Minister issued a Written Statement ‘Review of The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) 2020 Regulations’, and although this did not mention learning disabilities or autism, it did include: “We have carried out a review against the latest evidence from the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and with advice from the Chief Medical Officer for Wales. In line with that evidence and advice we have determined that while the requirements and restrictions set out in the Regulations must remain in force, we will bring forward minor amendments shortly to clarify aspects of the Regulations”.
Taking part in this week’s virtual Plenary session from his home in North Wales, Mr Isherwood challenged the First Minister over the proposed amendments, again emphasising the negative effect the once a day exercise rule is having on these families.
He said: “In a letter to you on Monday, Autistic UK Cymru said the Wales regulations - the Health Protection Coronavirus Restrictions Regulations - had been written in a way that further confuses autistic people. In England, people with specific medical needs, including those with learning disabilities or Autism who require specific exercise, may leave their homes to exercise in open space two or three times a day.
“I've been contacted by concerned families across Wales who need the same provision, asking why they can't have it in Wales. In your briefing on Monday, you made positive noises about changes to the regulations, including those for people with learning disabilities or Autism. Will you now, therefore, ensure that individuals with learning disabilities or Autism in Wales who require specific exercise can access that in a way equivalent to that of their colleagues across the border?
The First Minister said that there are plans to amend the regulations at the end on this week to ensure that individuals with learning disabilities or Autism in Wales will be able to leave their homes for exercise more than once a day during lockdown.
He said: “We're obliged to review the regulations every 21 days. As a result of our first review, we intend to change the guidance on exercise for families where there is a medical need to have exercise more than once a day, and that will encompass children with autism. We will amend the regulations at the end of this week in the way that Mr Isherwood referred to.”
