Visitors considering travelling to Tenby and other towns across Pembrokeshire and West Wales are being urged to take heed of Government advice and stay at home during the Coronavirus crisis instead of imposing a massive risk to not only themselves but rural and coastal communities.

The Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor David Simpson, has consulted with leaders at Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire county councils; Hywel Dda University Health Board and MPs and AMs across the Hywel Dda region in preparing the following statement: “As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic progresses, it is crucial we all play our part in tackling this disease in what is an unprecedented challenge in modern times.

“In particular it is extremely important that everyone follows the advice from the Government to slow and stop the spread of this virus and that we all do everything we can to support our essential public services, especially our NHS.

“The Government has now urged the public to stay at home and limit all but essential travel and it cannot be stressed enough how vital this advice is.

“One major concern that we are starting to witness is an influx of tourists into West Wales and the consequences this may have in the coming weeks and especially the serious risk that there will be an overwhelming, unnecessary pressure on our services and supply chains.

“As strong supporters of the tourism and hospitality industry here in West Wales, we fully understand the huge and grave challenges facing the sector and why some businesses may want to take this opportunity to bring in visitors at this time.

“However, our absolute top priority is the need to stop spread of this virus and also to protect our NHS from the increased pressures that tourism brings at a time when they will be stretched to the absolute limit.

“In line with the official Government advice therefore and also in recognition of the interests of the resident population here in West Wales, it is with great regret that we are taking an unprecedented step and asking people not to come on holiday to Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion or Carmarthenshire at this time.

“We are collectively exploring every avenue to support all businesses affected by this crisis but the overriding concern has to be to keep people safe and well.

“Please do not underestimate the risk this disease presents and we would urge you to take all the appropriate steps to keep you and your family safe, and also help all those who live and work here in West Wales stay safe and well.

“We promise you that Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion will be just as amazing places once this is all over and we are looking forward to the day in the near future when we are once again welcoming everyone back.”

Plaid Cymru Party leader Adam Price has also written to First Minister Mark Drakeford demanding he stops people travelling to caravan parks, second homes and tourist accommodation across Wales, highlighting concerns about an influx of people into rural communities – putting even more pressure on local health and social care services.

Mr Price spoke out as would-be tourists are being urged to avoid beaches and other holiday destinations in the UK to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Mr Price is urging the Welsh Government to immediately order the closure of caravan parks, holiday parks and other holiday accommodation and use them, if necessary, to house frontline health staff.

The politician also wants to see people banned from using their second homes during the pandemic and urged people not to travel.

“Local political leaders, GPs, health boards and members of the public in areas of our country which are in normal times – understandably given their natural beauty and proximity to the coast – popular holiday destinations have expressed concern about a large-scale population shift into these communities due to the challenges extra demand will place on local services,” Mr Price said.

“Whilst I am aware that some holiday parks have decided to play their part in reducing the potential demand on already under-resourced services in these communities by closing voluntarily, I understand that this is not consistent.

“Another concern is that second homes which are not usually occupied at this time of year are now being utilised as people seek to retreat to the countryside and coast.

“In the interest of ensuring a consistent approach and controlling demand on local services in these areas, I believe that the time has now come for the Welsh Government to give direction.

“I am asking that urgent steps are taken to avoid unnecessary additional pressure on our health and social care system at this difficult time.

“This should clearly be done in consultation with other governments, acting in co-ordination where possible, but independently if necessary.

“Wales already faces particular challenges in responding to Covid-19 – an older population, a higher proportion with underlying health conditions and a lower than average number of intensive care beds – which justifies swift and unilateral action.”

On social media, residents from Tenby and surrounding coastal resorts such as Saundersfoot and Amroth are urging visitor to stay heed the government advice and stay at home, after a large influx of people appeared to head to Pembrokeshire over the weekend.

Michelle Smith who runs the ‘Tenby’ Facebook page where a lot of comments on the concerns have been posted, stated that people considering travel to Tenby need to understand that the town can’t cope with the extra influx right now, and people’s health is of the upmost importance.

“Obviously I’m sure most locals will agree now is not a time for leisurely holidays to Tenby no matter how much people pay for the privilege of their second homes/caravans here.

“Many of us here in Pembrokeshire can’t even get as much as a doctors appointment on a good day because of our over-stretched medical facilities.

“Withybush Hospital only offering limited services. Our supermarkets are being emptied by people on their holiday jolly’s so the locals can’t even source a chicken, a potato, an egg or toilet roll for their families.

“People considering travel to Tenby do need to understand Tenby can’t cope with the extra influx right now. Most importantly people travelling here are imposing a massive risk to not only themselves but our community, an ageing population of people.

“Some of us (myself included) have children with compromised health and the risk factor is being massively increased by the continued tourism and seemingly we’re left with little we can do about it. Please do excuse the locals if they’re upset but they have every right to be.

“The hospitality people of Tenby offer to our visitors year on year is always to ensure our visitors to the town all have perfect holidays and make fond memories. This has been the case here for decades. The enjoyment of our visitors always paramount as we’re a community of people who care and remain ever grateful for the support the tourism industry brings to the economy here.

“At the moment many of us have had to close our doors for business as what is of most importance is the protection of our people in our community, our NHS and the staff working tirelessly in our hospitals to help.

“Many of us here in the hospitality industry are bidding you all please refrain from travelling to Tenby right now. Understand many of us have consequently been left without an income as a result of this but what means most to us here is the safety of our people.

“If people aren’t going to listen then restrictions do need to be imposed so we here in Tenby and other holiday resorts in Wales can protect our communities and welcome tourism back with open arms when this situation has passed,” she added.Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority chief executive Tegryn Jones has also commented on the matter: “Over the weekend there has been increasing concern regarding the number of visitors who have travelled to the county. We are having reports that Tenby, Saundersfoot and Newport are very busy and buses full of elderly people arriving in St Davids. “It appears as if some people are treating the current situation as a Bank Holiday rather that a crisis! This situation is replicated in the other National Parks. “We have been in regular contact with representatives of the tourism industry and partners such as Welsh Government. “Essentially we are asking people to stay at home and for Government to issue clearer guidance on 'essential travel' “This is a fast moving situation and I recognise that to some this is a potentially contentious message to send out. However, at times like this we need to act for the greater good.”