People planning on travelling to second homes or holiday accommodation in Pembrokeshire and Wales during the current Covid-19 lockdown have been urged to follow Welsh Government guidelines and rethink their plans -as the ‘stay-at-home’ message is reinforced.The Welsh Government introduced stay-at-home measures from midnight on Sunday (December 20) with the First Minister bringing the lockdown forward after urgent talks with ministers over a new strain of coronavirus.

During this period people can only travel if their journey is essential; and anyone currently occupying a premises that is not their permanent residence since Wales was moved into Level 4 restrictions have also been advised to vacate properties as soon as possible, as it is against current regulations.

“Essentially, people are not allowed to travel to their second homes - as travel in Wales without a reasonable excuse is an offence while alert level 4 restrictions are in place,” said a spokesperson for the Welsh Government.

“Travelling into, out of or within Wales to visit, check, inspect, or stay in a second home or holiday home is not a reasonable excuse,” they added stating that specific breaches should be reported to the local authority’s Health and Safety enforcement team who will take the necessary action.

Tenby’s county councillor for the North ward, Clr. Michael Williams said that he has already been inundated with examples of people arriving in Tenby on Monday to occupy second and holiday homes, whilst others have chosen to remain in premises away from their home, since it was announced on Saturday afternoon that the lockdown would be brought forward.

“I’ve received several expressions of concern about the number of second home owners arriving in Tenby today!” remarked Clr. Williams.

“We had a very similar situation during the lockdown last spring in Pembrokeshire and it caused huge concern at that time, with very strong, and worrying feelings being expressed.

“The selfish actions of a minority are putting peoples lives at risk, to a greater extent this time due to the mutation of the virus which has increased its ability to infect far more people!” he continued.

The Health Protection ‘Coronavirus Restrictions’ regulations in Wales were amended on the weekend to come into force on December 20 rather than December 28. These alert level 4 restrictions apply across all of Wales.

Transport for Wales has also reinforced the Welsh Government’s message urging people to make only ‘essential journeys’ while alert level four restrictions are in place.

The Welsh Government introduced stay-at-home measures from midnight on Sunday (December 20) and during this period people can only travel if their journey is essential.

Reasons for travel include - going to work where it is not possible to work from home; for education; essential shopping or medical needs; or to provide care to a vulnerable person.

Restrictions around travel will be removed on Christmas Day but TfW is reminding customers there are no rail services on December 25 and 26, as is standard across the industry every year.

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO said: “The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority at Transport for Wales and we fully support Welsh Government in moving to alert level four to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

“During the restriction period, public transport will be for essential travel only and we’ll be running fewer services.

“For those who do need to make essential journeys, it’s vital customers plan ahead and check the timetable for any changes.”

More information can be found at www.trc.cymru/travel-safer. Information about bus services over the Christmas period can be found at www.traveline.cymru/christmas-travel

After the stay-at-home restrictions came into effect, First Minister Mark Drakeford stated: “Unfortunately, we must also look again at the arrangements for Christmas – we cannot expose people to the risk of this new, more virulent strain of coronavirus.

“We will therefore change the current rules, which allow two households to come together to form a Christmas bubble over a five-day period, so that they will apply on Christmas Day only.

“Throughout the alert level four period, a single person household will be able to join with one other household.

“While we all want to avoid further disruption to businesses and plans for Christmas, our overriding duty is to protect lives here in Wales.”