National Park rangers have praised the positive reaction of residents and visitors who stayed away from Pembrokeshire paths and farmland over the weekend in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis.
In splendid winter weather conditions, ideal for walking, the public heeded the requests, backed up by the new emergency regulations, to keep away from the countryside.
The rangers, assisted by voluntary wardens, were at key locations all weekend monitoring the coast and the Preseli Hills and providing information on the restrictions.
Although there are no reported cases in Pembrokeshire, around 1,000 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways still remain closed this week and well over 700 individual closure notices remain in place at access points to the Coast Path and other popular paths in a bid to prevent any spread of the disease into the county.
Many farmers have also set up disinfectant barriers, environmental and public services have been restricted and a number of meetings and events have been postponed.
Peter Hordley, the National Park's head of recreation and communication, said: "We must praise the vast majority of people, visitors and residents, who acted very responsibly over the weekend. They heeded the notices, stayed clear of farmland and the coast path, and were very supportive of these restrictions which are in place to help stop foot and mouth disease spreading.
"With the restrictions likely to be in force for some time, we can only ask the public to continue acting positively and responsibly."
As movements of livestock have started again after nearly two weeks, farmers are keeping their fingers crossed that the strict precautionary measures have paid off and the county has escaped an outbreak of the epidemic which has paralysed almost all of Britain's farming industry.
Since Sunday, Pembrokeshire County Council have issued over 60 licences to farmers who wish to transfer animals unaffected by the disease to approved abattoirs.
Staff manning the council's hotlines have been busy with calls from not only local residents, but also people from outside the county.
However, as much of the countryside remains off limits, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has arranged a series of three 'special walks' which will offer interesting walks to explore the cultural and built environment of Pembrokeshire communities.
These walks will take place at Tenby, Newport and St. David's and participants will be invited to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost.
"We intend to run these walks over other weekends, so providing an alternative recreation for visitors and local people. And we shall work with the tourist trade to develop these walks," added Mr. Hordley.
The weekend walks are as follows:
Saturday, March 10 - Tenby, 2 pm - 4 pm, 'Urban Exploration', leader Rob Scourfield. Meet by the Five Arches.
Sunday, March 11 - St. David's, 2 pm - 3.30 pm, 'Cathedral City', leader Margi Bryant. Meet at Merry Vale car park; Newport, 2 pm - 4 pm, 'Highlights of the Ancient Borough', leader Peter Evans. Meet at Long Street car park.
Pembrokeshire beaches which are directly accessible by road and provide opportunities for walking and exercise include Amroth, Wiseman's Bridge, Coppet Hall, Saundersfoot, Tenby North, Tenby Harbour, Tenby South (access from Tenby end only), Lydstep Haven via Lydstep Beach resort, Manorbier, Freshwater East and Freshwater West.
Anyone requiring advice or information on the foot and mouth disease can contact the Pembrokeshire County Council hotlines on: 01437 776480, 01437 776481 and 01437 776482. The lines will be manned over the weekend.