Visitors from Wrexham sent home from Snowdonia as police remind “exercise should start and finish from your home”

Visitors from Wrexham have been told they should not to travel to Snowdonia for exercise whilst the current alert level four Covid-19 restrictions are in place across Wales.

North Wales Police have started carrying high visibility patrols in Snowdonia due to an increase in the number of people visiting the area in recent days.

Officers from the force’s road’s policing unit say that today visitors to Snowdonia from visitors from Wrexham, Rhyl, Llangollen, Bolton & West Midlands have been advised, sent home and reported for summons.

Under the new level four restrictions in place in Wales exercise should “start and finish from your home and you should exercise alone or with a member of your household or support bubble.”

In specific relation to exercise, the regulations say that no long journeys should be undertaken unless absolutely necessary.

They regulations: “Your exercise should start and finish from your home and generally, this should not involve people driving to a location away from home.

“However, we recognise that some people, such as those with specific health or mobility issues, may need to travel from their home in order to exercise.

“For example, wheelchair users may not be able to start exercise immediately outside their hones for practical access reasons.

“Driving to a suitable flat location, such as a park, would be permitted in this instance.

“Where people need to drive to access exercise, the journey should be to the nearest convenient accessible location. No long journeys should be undertaken unless absolutely necessary.

“The need to carry sports equipment is not regarded as a justification on its own for driving in these circumstances.

“Leaving your home to exercise should not be used as an excuse to undertake other activity which is not permitted. The purpose of leaving home is to exercise.

“Going for a walk and then having a picnic or spending a prolonged period on a park bench, for example, is not considered to be exercise.”

Commenting on the number of visitors to Snowdonia earlier this week, North Wales Police said: “We are conducting high vis patrols in our tourist hot spot areas and are aware that a large number of people are visiting places such as Snowdonia. This is not essential travel.

“Wales is currently in Level 4 and Welsh Government restrictions state that exercise should start/finish at home.

“You should not be driving to these places, no matter how tempting.

“We know it’s hard but we urge you all to do everything you can to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“We are engaging, educating and where necessary will enforce restrictions. Please be mindful that we are doing our best under difficult circumstances.

“Policing has not stopped and we cannot be everywhere. It’s up to all of us to do the right thing.”

The guidance to Level 4, and links to the regulations, can be accessed in here: https://gov.wales/leaving-your-home-and-seeing-other-people-alert-level-4