December 04, 2020 - 1587 views
Another set of COVID-19 related restrictions come into play from 6pm tonight impacting on North Wales.
Travel between Wales and areas of the UK with high rates of coronavirus will not be allowed from tonight (Friday 4 December).
Wales’ coronavirus regulations will be amended to prohibit travel to and from tier three areas in England; level three and four areas in Scotland and the whole of Northern Ireland, which is currently in lockdown.
New travel guidance will be issued strongly advising people in Wales not to travel to other parts of the UK with lower levels of coronavirus – tier one and two areas in England or level one and two areas in Scotland – to help control the spread of the virus.
People from Wales will be required to follow any legal restrictions, including relating to travel, which are in place in other parts of the UK.
All travel restrictions within the UK will be suspended between 23 and 27 December to allow people to meet members of their Christmas bubble. People travelling to and from Northern Ireland will be able to travel the day before this period starts and the day after.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "There will be no restrictions on travel within Wales but we need to have some restrictions on travel across the border to those parts of the UK where infection rates are high to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"We are also advising people in Wales not to travel into those parts of England and Scotland where the infection rate is lower, to help prevent them taking coronavirus with them.
"Coronavirus doesn’t respect borders – we all have a part to play in keeping Wales and the UK safe. Please think carefully about where you are going and what you are doing. This virus thrives wherever we come together with others.
"Taken together with our other measures, these travel restrictions will help to keep us all safe.
The travel restrictions are likely to remain in place until at least January 2021 but will be kept under constant review.
"International travel restrictions will continue and are also likely to remain in place until at least January, but will be kept under constant review."
Also from this evening, pubs and restuarants will be banned from selling alcohol at any point during the day and will be expected to close at 6pm.
First Minister Mark Drakeford says this action is in response to new cases of Coronavirus which have risen higher than predicted across the country.
"Unfortunately, the virus is moving incredibly quickly across Wales and is eroding the gains we made during the firebreak period. We now need to take further steps together as a nation to protect people’s health and slow the spread of coronavirus."
Other venues which include galleries, cinemas, bowling allies and bingo halls will also have to shut until Welsh Government data suggests otherwise.
The planned easing of the restrictions to allow families to meet over the Christmas period from the 23rd of December will not be effected by this latest set of rules.
