Police urge public to follow Welsh legislation after “noticeably busier weekend” at beauty spots and beaches

Officers are urging people to continue following the current Welsh Government legislation to help keep Wales safe.

This afternoon saw new changes to the lockdown officially come into place in Wales. These include two households in the same local area being able to meet outdoors, provided that they do not travel more than five miles.

These measures differ to the ones in England, where groups of up to six people can meet and there is no limit on the distance people can travel.

However North Wales Police are now urging people to continue adhering to the Welsh legislation after what was “noticeably busier” weekend on the region’s beaches and beauty spots.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Harrison said: “The vast majority of people have listened to the government guidelines. But again we saw people travel in from the North West of England and the Midlands which clearly will be illegal on most occasions.

“As the regulations change here in Wales at 4pm today it will be vitally important that people do the right thing to try to protect their loved ones.

“The message is clear – stay local whenever you can and keep your distance from each other. It is vitally important you only meet people from one other household in the open air. Keep in mind the purpose of the regulations – to prevent the spread of the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.

“We will continue to engage, explain and encourage people to adhere to the regulations and only enforce where there are clear unacceptable breaches.

“We will continue to play our part to keep our community as safe as possible but this is a real team game and we all have a role to play to make sure we get through this together.

“We know it’s been a really difficult time for our communities, but the majority of you have stepped up and followed Welsh Government guidelines, enabling frontline services to keep moving efficiently.

“North Wales is a fantastic place to visit and we look forward to welcoming people back at the right time which isn’t now.”

The changes to the regulations came into force at 4pm today include:-

• Allowing members of two separate households in the same local area to meet outdoors at any one time as long as they maintain social distancing. There is a low risk of infection if the 2m physical distancing rule is maintained while outdoors. This does not need to be the same people from the same household every time. ‘Local’ means not travelling more than five miles from home;
• The two households can meet in private outdoor spaces, such as gardens, but this comes with a higher risk of infection as people may have to pass through someone’s private home to reach a garden. The Welsh Government will provide guidance about the precautions which can be taken to minimise these risks;
• Allowing weddings and civil partnerships to take place if the bride or groom is terminally ill.
• The need to stay local and not mix with others other than in certain circumstances will be subject to exceptions similar to those that currently apply. Guidance will be provided about what staying local means in different circumstances.

Police say beauty and tourist spots will remain closed.

At the next review on June 18th the Welsh Government will examine options for:

• Re-opening non-essential retail
• Increasing capacity for childcare and public transport to support a wider return to work
• Facilitating moving house to boost the housing market
• Re-opening outdoors sites, including outdoor markets, sports courts, outdoor showrooms, and outdoor museum
•  Re-opening facilities for non-professional elite athletes to train safely.

Further information regarding the Welsh Government legislation is available via https://gov.wales/coronavirus