People living in England reminded UK Government rules do not allow travel into Wales

People living in England have been reminded that UK Government rules do not allow them to travel or book holidays in Wales as ‘stay local’ restrictions came to an end today.

The UK Government’s rules forbid anyone to travel out of England until April 12 unless there is an essential reason.

Meanwhile, self-contained tourism accommodation is being allowed to reopen in Wales and the country’s “stay local” requirement is also being lifted, meaning that there will be no travel restrictions within Wales for the first time since 20 December.

Cheshire West and Chester Council called on their residents not to venture over the border into Wales unless there was an essential reason.

These changes apply only to residents living in Wales, they said, and reminded residents that different rules are in place in England.

Ian Ashworth, Director of Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Our residents have shown resilience over the last year and have stayed at home where possible and tried their best to follow the rules. We have seen a reduction in our rates thanks to their efforts and all those playing their part to vaccinate our population.

“Residents in Wales are being given more freedom from 27 March and we are conscious that these rules do not apply in England just yet. We have seen an increase in our rates already over the last week and it’s vital our residents stay local and protect each other from spreading COVID further, especially if we are going to be able to stick to the national road map plans. Travel across the border should only be for essential reasons.

“We believe businesses in Wales will only be taking bookings from people in Wales. We should not be travelling further into Wales for leisure. We encourage our residents to understand and respect the new rules in Wales, and to stay within our borough. We hope that, from 12 April, everyone will be able to travel more freely.”

Restrictions in England will be relaxed slightly from 29 March when the stay at home rule ends, allowing residents to gather in outdoor spaces in groups of six or two households. They will be llowed to travel over the border into Wales from 12 April.

‘Stable’

Wales’ lockdown restrictions also now allow up to people from two different households will also be able to meet and exercise outdoors, and organised activities and sports will be able to resume for under-18s.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “These further relaxations are part of our careful and phased approach to unlocking the restrictions and enabling people and businesses to resume their activities in the safest possible way.

“We’re only able to do this because of the sacrifices everyone across Wales has made over the last few months – everything you are doing to keep your loved ones safe is also keeping Wales safe.

“The public health position remains stable; our incredible vaccination programme goes from strength to strength – we have headroom to make these changes.”

Wales has also already reopened hairdressers. They will reopen in England towards the end of April.