WELSH Government have confirmed that people won’t need to wear a face covering if they are exercising.

Guidance published ahead of Monday’s rule changes has been made available for those who have questions about where you do and don’t need to don a face mask in Wales.

The First Minster, Mark Drakeford, made an announcement during the Friday press conference to confirm that Wales would follow all other parts of the UK and make face masks mandatory when visiting indoor public spaces from September 14.

Whether somebody has a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering at any particular moment depends on the individual and the circumstances.

The guidance states: “This may mean that somebody has a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering sometimes but not others. And the reasonable excuse may only be temporary.”

An example is given about what is expected when visiting your local gym or leisure centre.

It reads: “As these [gyms and leisure centres] are indoor public places, you will need to wear a face covering when you go there and you will need to keep it on depending on what you are doing.

“If you are preparing to exercise, changing or undertaking any activity that isn’t strenuous, especially when in close contact with other people, you will need to wear a face covering.”

However, there may be circumstances where the layout of the premises and the nature of the exercise you are doing mean that it would not be reasonable to expect you to wear a face covering.

It continues to explain: “The World Health Organisation advises against wearing a face covering when exercising as sweat can make a face covering become wet more quickly, making it difficult to breathe and promoting the growth of micro-organisms.

“It advises the important preventative measure during exercise is to maintain physical distance from others.

“As part of the measures the operator of the gym or leisure centre will need to put in place to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus, they will need to consider when wearing a face covering would not be appropriate and what mitigating action may be needed.”

The Welsh Government finish their guidance stating that the gym or leisure centre operator will be expected to give visitors further information about the systems they have put in place and what you will be expected to do.

For the best advice, check ahead of visiting for how the new rules apply to your local gym or leisure centre.