The Welsh Government have issued a reminder that the stay-at-home coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations remain firmly in place in Wales to protect people’s health. This means travelling to Wales for leisure purposes is still not possible.
Campsites, outdoor activities and tourist attractions, together with many popular footpaths and beauty spots, such as Snowdon, remain closed to the public to keep people safe and protect the NHS.
Changes made to the law in England, allowing people to go out for open-air recreation do not apply in Wales.
In Wales, the stay-at-home rules have been relaxed to remove the once-a-day restriction on exercise. All exercise must be done locally.
The Welsh Government’s Economy and north Wales Minister Ken Skates is issuing this important reminder to anyone considering travelling to Wales. He said: “Wherever we live, we are all facing the threat of coronavirus. Our message in Wales remains very clear. Please stay at home.
“This goes against our normal welcoming nature, but for now please don’t visit.
“We want nothing more than to welcome visitors to enjoy our wonderful scenery and attractions but to protect our NHS and keep people safe as we deal with coronavirus, please stay home and stay local.
“Lifting restrictions now would risk increasing spread of the virus, which could endanger more lives and cause longer term disruption and hardship for our tourist industry.
“If you travel a significant distance for leisure purposes into Wales or within Wales you risk being stopped by the police and fined under Welsh law. Don’t put yourself and others at risk, and for now please don’t visit.
“I look forward to giving you all a very different message in the near future. I look forward to saying “croeso” – welcome – to you all, but not now – later.”
North Wales Police
North Wales Police have also urged the public to adhere to the Welsh Government’s guidelines to continue to stay at home.
Residents outside of Wales are being reminded that the travel restrictions lifted in England do not apply here – and anyone travelling into Wales will be subject to Welsh legislation.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Harrison said: “Whilst minor amendments were made to the legislation in Wales the message to our communities remains consistent.
“The vast majority of people have followed the guidance to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives and I echo the plea of colleagues in Welsh Government and the health service for everyone to continue to do so.
“We want to make it clear that Welsh Government legislation is applicable here and our local communities should be adhering to the rules outlined in them.”
Over the bank holiday weekend officers dealt with several incidents whereby people had travelled unreasonable distances into north Wales.
T/ACC Harrison added: “Our tourist attractions, parts of the national park, pubs, restaurants, cafes, caravan, holiday parks and campsites all remain closed.
“Travelling into Wales for exercise or without a reasonable excuse is not permitted, and the sooner we can slow the spread of the virus the sooner we can welcome people back here.
“Increasing the population of our area will place an unreasonable burden on our NHS and other key workers who are working hard to ensure the safety of everyone. Those visiting the mountains of Snowdonia or our coastal areas also need to realise that they could potentially be risking the lives of our Mountain Rescue and RNLI volunteers should they get into difficulties.
T/ACC Harrison added: “The restrictions in Wales remain and people should not think of ways of circumventing the law and the police should not be needed to reinforce common sense. Focussing on what might result in a fine misses the point of why we’ve been asked to stay at home; to prevent the virus spreading and save people’s lives – including your own or those of your loved ones.
“We also continue to urge holiday home owners not to travel to their properties for the time being. This is not essential travel. Please stay in your primary residence.
“We will be operating in a very visible way on our road networks and in towns and villages ensuring that people are complying with the restrictions.
“The mountains, beaches and countryside will be here when this is over for us all to enjoy and everyone will look forward to welcoming visitors back once it is safe again to do so. Until then please stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.”
North Wales Police are also urging members of the public not to contact the control room to ask for guidance relating to the regulations. Further information and guidance is available via the Welsh Government’s website.
