Minister for North Wales Ken Skates today urged people to carry on complying with the restrictions to protect themselves and others against coronavirus.
Traffic across the network in North Wales has been around 70% lower than normal levels, showing the vast majority of people are staying at home.
Speaking ahead of the holiday weekend, the Minister said: “I’d like to thank everyone who is following the regulations. You are all playing your part in saving lives and protecting the NHS.
“As we approach the bank holiday weekend the message continues to be stay home and avoid all unnecessary travel. Lives depend on it.
“The attractions of North Wales will still be here to be enjoyed once all this is over, and we look forward to welcoming visitors when, and only when, it’s safe to do so. But for now the only thing for all of us to do is stay home, stay safe and save lives.
“Tomorrow is a bank holiday because of the 75th anniversary of VE Day. There are many ways we can mark this special day at home by observing the two minutes’ silence at 11am and sharing stories and memories on social media.”
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will address the nation on Sunday and outline his five-step plan to easing the UK out of lockdown. Although it has been speculated that easing restrictions may change from next week, it is thought many social distancing rules will remain in place for some time.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Harrison from North Wales Police said:
“We continue to urge people not to travel to North Wales over the bank holiday weekend.
“Restrictions on non‐essential travel remain in place. Our tourist attractions, parts of the national park, pubs, restaurants, cafes, caravan, holiday parks and campsites all remain closed. Sadly we’ve had recent occasions where people have travelled totally unreasonable distances into north Wales.
“We know that many will be disappointed that we cannot mark VE day in the way that was planned and would have been fitting. However, in light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and social distancing guidance, it is of utmost importance that people commemorate at home, so we can protect the NHS and save lives.
He added: “Our focus continues to be to reassure, inform and engage with people so they understand why these restrictions are in place. Teams continue to be out and about in our communities and on the road networks, and will be once again this weekend, ensuring the people are complying with the restrictions.
“However we’d like to thank the vast majority who are adhering to the restrictions. You really are playing your part in helping to save lives. What we are doing is showing signs of working but we must keep going otherwise the last few weeks will have been for nothing.”
In an open letter ahead of the bank holiday weekend, the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, Cllr Andrew Morgan, Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), the Chair of Policing Wales & Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, and the Chair of the Welsh Chief Officer Group Chief Constable Carl Foulkes, call on people to stay home.
The letter also makes clear that travelling to a second home does not ordinarily constitute essential travel, and that anyone leaving or remaining away from the place where they are living without a reasonable excuse is committing an offence.
Emyr Williams, Chief Executive, Snowdonia National Park said:
“It’s really important that people keep adhering to the Government guidelines to stay at home. We would like to sincerely thank the vast majority of people who are continuing to help prevent the spread of the disease by staying at home, but we’re concerned about the reports we’re having from our Wardens that traffic and visitor numbers are slowly increasing. The Government guidelines and restrictions have not changed, and people should still be staying at home and avoiding unnecessary travel.
“Our Wardens will be working with North Wales Police over the Bank Holiday weekend and will have a strong presence on the ground in the National Park to ensure that our communities and local health services are protected. The sooner we can halt the spread of the virus the sooner we can welcome people back to Snowdonia, and help local businesses and industries recover.”
Gwynedd Council Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn said:
“This is an unprecedented period for all of us. We are grateful to everyone who has and continues to follow the stay at home regulations.
“Our message is clear ‐ the area is currently closed to help us stop the spread of Coronavirus.
“Until then, our partners in the National Park have closed Snowdonia’s busiest mountains and there is no access for the time being. Natural Resources Wales has closed its visitor centres, car parks, play areas and mountain bike trails and Cadw along with the National Trust have closed their sites.
“So, for the time being, we ask people not to visit the area ‐ we will welcome visitors back to Gwynedd and north Wales when things get back to normality.”
