AQW 12363/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 30/12/2020
Answered On Date: 20/08/2021
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, in light of the benefits derived from exercise, and given the improved safety from being with another person, whether he is willing to consider adapting regulations due to come into effect from 2 January 2021 to permit an individual to meet outdoors with one person from another household for exercise with social distancing, as is already the case in tier 4 areas in England.

Answer:

In the period since this question was tabled the Executive has taken a series of carefully considered steps to bring us to the current position. As part of this individuals are permitted to meet outdoors for exercise. Excluding private dwellings, there is no restriction on the number of people permitted to meet outdoors. The maximum number is to be decided by a risk assessment which is required for any outdoor gathering of over 30 people. As part of further relaxations gyms and other exercise classes are permitted to operate.