‘Crazy’ situation as visitors can travel through north of Wales lockdown areas but those living there can’t
People visiting Wales will be able to travel through lockdown areas in the north of Wales but those living there will not, a situation branded “crazy” by one prospective Senedd Member.
Plaid Cymru Dwyfor Meirionnydd candidate Mabon ap Gwynfor made the comment in relation to rules which allowed people from locked-down areas in England to travel into Wales.
New coronavirus restrictions are being introduced on Thursday in four local authority areas in the north of Wales – Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham.
It will mean no one is allowed to enter or leave each of these areas without a reasonable excuse, such as travel for work or education.
Anglesey and Gwynedd remain out of lockdown, but the Welsh Government said that visitors from outside Wales were free to travel through locked down counties to reach them.
‘Letter’
Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford said yesterday that he had written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking him to stop those in England’s lockdown areas from travelling.
“I’ve written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, urging him to follow Wales’ lead by introducing urgent travel restrictions in areas with high infection rates – similar to those in place her,” he said.
“This will help prevent coronavirus from spreading from one area to another and keep our communities safe.”
Plaid Cymru’s candidate in Aberconwy, Councillor Aaron Wynne of Llanrwst, argued that the situation was farcical.
“To be clear, if you live in Liverpool or Manchester you can climb Snowdon this weekend,” he said. “But if you live in Capel Curig you cannot.
“The law needs changing.”
WNP Senedd Member Neil McEvoy said that the First Minister had the power to stop visitors from locked-down areas travelling to Wales.
“All the First Minister has to do is use public health law to stop people coming in from infected areas,” he said. “Instead he writes a letter… that’ll show em eh?”
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