Welsh police flagged down by English lockdown-breakers ‘asking for directions’
A police car was flagged down by a group of people from England asking for directions – who they promptly sent home.
The North Wales Police Rural Crime team said that the interaction had been “frustrating”.
“Incredibly one of our team has just been flagged down in Snowdonia by a car containing three persons from Bolton,” they said.
North Wales Police said the family had asked: “Excuse me officer, can you recommend some nice places for us to visit?”
“Yes, there are plenty on your way home,” came the reply.
The rules in Wales are stricter than other areas of the UK – like in England, where the restrictions have been eased allowing people to take day-trips anywhere in the country.
While the restrictions have been eased slightly in Wales, such as the reopening of garden and recycling centres, the message is still “stay local” as the Welsh Government insists it will take a “cautious approach” in making any further changes.
‘Support’
The Welsh Government’s decision on to what extent lockdown restrictions will be eased in Wales will be revealed tomorrow.
Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething told journalists yesterday that the “cautious” approach being taken to easing the regulations in Wales would continue.
But he said he believed its position on managing coronavirus was “overwhelmingly supported by members of the public”.
“This week, we’ll have to make another set of choices about the regulations that are in place, what the next set of regulations will look like,” he said.
“And you heard the first minister speak last week about understanding the real heartache that this is causing for some families who can’t see other members, and we would like to think about how we could do something on that.
“But I think the cautious approach is still the right one and I think it’s overwhelmingly supported by members of the public.
“You saw, of course, the pictures on this weekend of beaches in England that were packed and beaches in Wales where people are following the rules, and understand the importance of doing so to keep all of us safe here in Wales.”
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My guess would be that the average Boltonian would have no notion whatever that the public health regime in respect of combating the virus in Wales is different from that which applies where they live.
Unfortunately Bolton’s not close enough to us for that fact to be picked up ‘on the local grapevine’, as might be the case with Chester or Wallasey, but, courtesy of M6 and M56, still near enough for Boltonians to head this way quick and easy.
Surely you check for updated info on areas you plan to visit at any time, never mind during a pandemic. Ignorance isn’t an excuse.
This level of profound ignorance on their part echoes the mention you made of the Birmingham woman who complained about being sent back to England, with the words “I thought Wales was in England”. Cymru’s independent stance on lockdown has proved difficult for many residents of England to take on board. Old habits die hard, especially if you don’t listen to/watch the news.
Quite understandable. I’m sure they complied when the situation was explained. No problem. We see the England Covid daily updates in Wales. We also frequently see the Scottish updates. It is a shame, for consistency and understanding that a synopses of all four were broadcast to all. As Mark Drakeford remarked on the BBC no one region can or should be a template for all others. The Westminster Gove are aware of the need to level up across the country. They are out of touch with the North West and North East. Their Covid strategy has shown this. One size… Read more »
Are there no “yellow” -notices on the motorway signboards?
Probably but there’s no motorways in north Wales.
…and many of them have been taking the scenic route to avoid the heddlu. They don’t need to be told on a big sign on the A55. I’m astonished, though, that a minority don’t actually know such a crucial detail of Cymru’s lockdown policy as the ban on non-essential travel into the country.
I live on Anglesey- I cycled to Sandy Beach Llanfwrog. From my village a total of 13.6km there and back. 1 hour it took. I took photos of the beach- some woman came up to me asking if I took photos of her child ?? There were 5 cars there / were these necessary jour ?? Obviously these people should not have been there . I have pictures of the cars. But not of her or her children.
Shouldn’t be creeping round looking at kiddies then
I wasn’t! I took a picture of the beach !! It was proof of my accomplishment on the bike getting there!
Paid a cymeryd sylw ohono fo Alwen ar ei feic fysa ora iddo fo dwi’n meddwl I Durham falle
Stop being so discriminating against the English. Wales can’t get by without the Uk money so try and be more accommodating. You also need the English tourists if you want to survive this lockdown. Be more welcoming.