Concerns around people travelling to second homes in north Wales during coronavirus outbreak

An MP is urging holiday home and caravan owners to stay away from their second properties during the coronavirus outbreak.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts is urging the WelshGovernment to issue a no travel directive as she believes a largenumber of holiday home owners have already moved into second homes believing they will be safer as the Covid-19 pandemic takes hold.

The Plaid Cymru politician is calling for the Welsh Government to issue adirective advising people against travelling to their second homes andcaravan parks as concerns mount about the pressure an influx inpopulation will have on GP surgeries and local NHS services.

Mrs Saville Roberts said the government should designate such travelplans as “non-essential” and those considering self-isolating shoulddo so at their main home where they are likely to be closer to familysupport networks.

She said, “I am extremely concerned at reports of a substantial increase in the population of areas in Pen Llŷn since last weekend, with holiday homeswhich are usually empty at this time of year now being occupied.”

“It is highly likely the virus is already established in thepopulation of Gwynedd, but the lack of testing means no cases have yetbeen recorded. People who have holiday homes in the area are seeingGwynedd as being free of coronavirus and deciding to relocate here.

“Plaid Cymru has repeatedly called on the Welsh Government to re-startvoluntary testing to track the geographic spread of the disease, as isbeing done in Scotland. This is also the advice being communicated bythe World Health Organisation.”

Her calls have been echoed by GP Dr Eilir Hughes.

Dr Hughes said, “I am extremely concerned by the high influx of touristsand second home owners who have clearly flooded into the area over thelast week, with the intention of staying here for the time being.

“There is evidence that a significant amount of people who own holidayhomes and static caravans have decided to travel down under theimpression they’d be safe here.

“We must also consider the age of those travelling into the area. Theyare often retired meaning they are likely to be of an age which putsthem at a greater risk of COVID-19. It is likely they have alsoincreased the viral load within our community.

“We have already been approached by second home owners demandingservices within our practices. Indeed, some are here to self-isolatebut are seen out and about in cafes and restaurants.

“As a group of practices serving the area we would urge visitors andsecond home owners to stay put at their primary residence. We are notsufficiently resourced to deal with this extra demand during theseunprecedented circumstances.”

The Welsh Government have been asked to comment.