Govt Lifts Ban On 'Some' Outdoor Exercises

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has lifted the ban on outdoor exercises during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

The development was announced in a new statutory instrument (SI) gazetted on Sunday which provides for a limited relaxation of the lockdown conditions specified in Statutory Instrument 94 of 2020. Reads the SI in part:

The new order has a provision for outdoor exercise which means walking or jogging along a public thoroughfare, in public parks or other open public spaces where persons may walk or jog for exercise, or at a sporting or recreational establishment. This does not include gymnastic clubs.

Cycling, or walking or jogging along a public thoroughfare accompanied by one’s dog or dogs, in public parks or other open public spaces where persons may cycle, or walk or jog for exercise accompanied by one’s dog or dogs will also be allowed.

The Ministry stated that venues at which low-risk sports take place shall be open between 8 AM and 4.30 PM unless there is an authorisation from enforcing officers adding that spectators should not be in excess of fifty persons at the venues.

The Ministry also announced that with effect from Monday, athletes competing in low-risk sports and their associated sports staff shall be regarded as belonging to Part IIIB class which applies to businesses in the formal commercial and industrial sector that are not essential services.

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