People should not be travelling to their second homes during the UK ‘lockdown’ as it is putting added pressure on local services.

Leader of Plaid Cymru Adam Price said that now that the Welsh Government has decided to act upon the powers which they already had and close caravan parks and tourist sites, much needed comfort has been given to holiday areas in places such as Pembrokeshire which have been inundated with visitors over the past few days.

Mr. Price said that this will help ease some of the additional pressure on the NHS during the ongoing public health crisis, however, he has called for more action on the question of holiday lets, other tourist accommodations and non-primary residences.

“Current UK and Welsh Government advice states that people should not travel to their second homes because of the added pressure it puts on local services. That advice needs to be backed up by appropriate powers of enforcement if people choose to ignore it,” he stated.

“Unless people cannot return home because someone is self-isolating in their primary residence, or for another humanitarian reason, all travel to non-primary residences should cease and people currently in non-primary residences should return home. Put simply, this will save lives,” he added.

Police officers in Pembrokeshire were very busy turning people away that should not be on the roads or walking in groups over the weekend, with high visibility patrols in places such as Saundersfoot, Amroth, Wiseman’s Bridge, Laugharne and Pendine.

‘It’s important everyone does their bit to limit the spread of #COVID19, but despite the lockdown, people are still travelling to our area - especially Pembrokeshire,” said a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police.

“We know our patch is beautiful (we love it), but right now we need visitors to stay away and residents to stay at home.

“Our officers are carrying out high visibility patrols of beaches, coastal areas and popular spots, along with regular static checks on our roads to make sure only essential journeys are taking place.

“If your journey isn’t essential - don’t set off. We all need to work together to prevent the spread of this virus.”

Councillor Michael Williams, who represents the Tenby North ward on Pembrokeshire County Council had also urged Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys Dafydd Llywelyn to increase the number of road blocks in place over the weekend in Pembrokeshire to stop unnecessary visitors coming into the county.

“The situation in the Tenby area last weekend was unbelievable with huge numbers of second home owners in residence, and I note that the Chief Constable said that over 200 vehicles were turned away on Friday entering Pembrokeshire,” remarked Clr. Williams.

“I have also asked that action is taken against those who have used the loophole of changing from second homes to business rates. They are non essential providers and should be closed,” he added.