North Wales Police are continuing to urge the public to adhere to Government guidelines to stay home and stay safe this weekend.

Despite contradicting media reports relating to exercise guidance the force is reminding people that north Wales is currently closed to visitors.

Deputy Chief Constable Richard Debicki said: “Our tourist attractions, mountains, pubs, restaurants, caravan, holiday parks and campsites are all closed.

“We completely understand that people want to go outside to enjoy the warm weather predicted for the weekend, however this is a national emergency and we will continue to ensure government guidelines around essential travel and social distancing are adhered to.

“Please only travel if your journey is absolutely essential. This means either shopping for food or medicine and for traveling to and from work if you cannot work from home.

"Our policing style remains unchanged, and 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.

"Our actions will remain proportionate and fair at all times, and we know from working with our communities here that people are supportive of our actions.

“It is not regarded as essential travel to drive to the National Park and other beauty spots to walk or exercise. Neither is it essential travel to drive to second and holiday homes. Please stay in your primary residence.

"North Wales will still be here once the pandemic is over and we look forward to getting things back to normal and welcoming people back as soon as we can.

“The guidance from the UK Government and Welsh Government  remains that exercise should be done locally, using open spaces near to your home where possible.

“Our focus continues to be to reassure, inform and engage with people so they understand why these restrictions are in place. Teams are out and about and our officers will continue to engage with people, establish their individual circumstances and will continue to explain the risks and warn of the consequences of failing to comply with the guidance.

DCC Debicki added: “The NHS and other key workers are doing an incredible job in keeping the public safe, but we ask you to consider that increasing the population of our area will place an unreasonable burden on them.

People should not think of ways of circumventing the law, this is about making sure loved ones don’t die because of a few  selfish actions, the police should not be needed to reinforce common sense.

“Everyone must contribute to the national effort to respond to the coronavirus outbreak and I am grateful to the vast majority who have made significant changes to their daily habits and routines. You really are playing your part in helping to save lives.”

Emyr Williams, Chief Executive, Snowdonia National Park said: “Unprecedented scenes of visitors flocking to Snowdonia some weeks ago meant that the Authority had to take steps to close the area’s popular mountain areas and sites in order to protect local communities and health services.

"All of the Authority’s car parks and public toilets were also closed. To anyone considering visiting Snowdonia over the weekend the message remains – do not visit the National Park until the Government’s guidelines to avoid unnecessary travel has been lifted.

"Snowdonia will still be here when this is all over, and we look forward to welcoming visitors back when things are back to normal.”