Busiest mountain sites in Snowdonia closed amid coronavirus lockdown

Snowdon and other Welsh mountains have now been shut off to the publicbecause of the coronavirus outbreak.

Snowdonia National Authority Park Authority (SNPA) announced thedecision after hundreds of people were spotted walkingon the mountains at the weekend.

From now Snowdon, Cader Idris, 'Ogwen' - Y Garn, Glyderau, Tryfan andCwm Idwal, Aran Benllyn and Aran Fawddwy are closed to the public.

It follows unprecedented scenes at the weekend, with the Pen y Passcar park at Snowdon and nearby roads, jammed with traffic as hikerspiled up Snowdon.

This was despite government guidance over social distancing, whichurged people to stay at home and not take unnecessary journeys to stopthe spread of covid-19.

The Park Authority has also closed all its main car parks, informationcentres, Plas Tan y Bwlch - its study centre, and wardencentres - although wardens will remain at work with “limited socialcontact”.

All scheduled events, volunteer activities and authority meetings are cancelled until further notice, and the head office isclosed to the public.

Meanwhile coastguards says people are still going to the coast and beaches despite warnings to stay at home because of COVID-19.

They say they are getting a number of calls reporting groups of people on beaches across the UK.