People living in Wales able to go anywhere in the country from tomorrow as ‘stay local’ rule lifted

People living in Wales will be able to go anywhere in the country from tomorrow, it has been announced.

The Welsh Government’s ‘stay local’ rule will be lifted on Saturday, 27 March, meaning people will be able to travel around Wales but not over the border with England without a good reason.

It will be the first time since new lockdown restrictions were imposed over three months ago, on 20 December, that people will be able to travel freely within Wales.

A ban on travel out of England means that, under the UK Government’s regulations, people from England will not be able to travel into Wales.

Lifting travel restrictions means people in Wales will have no limits imposed on them as to how far they can travel for exercise within Wales.

People living in Wales will also be able to stay in self-contained holiday accommodation within Wales from Saturday.

Self-contained holiday accommodation includes hotels with en-suite facilities and room service, as well as caravans and holiday homes where facilities are not shared.

Guests staying at self-contained accommodation must be from the same household or support bubble.

Ministers plan to lift the ban on people from England entering Wales from April 12, with shops opening at the same time.

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.”

‘Vigilant’

Other changes include:

• Six people from two different households, excluding children under 11, will be able to meet and exercise outdoors and in private gardens;
• Organised outdoor activities and sports for children and under 18s will be able to resume;
• There will be a limited opening of outdoor areas of some historic places and gardens;
• Libraries and archives will be able to re-open.

He added: “We are taking a step-by step approach to relaxing restrictions and want to carry on being able to open up Wales.

“To do that we need everyone’s help. That means staying vigilant for signs of infection; isolating if we have symptoms and arranging to get tested.

“It also means following the basic steps to keep us all safe while we’re out and about – keeping our distance from others; not mixing indoors; avoiding crowds; washing our hands regularly and wearing face coverings.”