Welsh National Parks urge people to stay at home and respect Welsh Government rules
Wales’ three National Park Authorities are calling on all UK residents to respect rules and measures in place in Wales to protect everyone.
The Park Authorities have welcomed the new guidance from the Welsh Government, reinforcing the need for people to "stay at home, stay safe and protect the NHS".
They said they will be making significant efforts this week to ensure that the correct information is reaching people.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that from this week, people in England would be able to drive to different areas for exercise. But in Wales, exercise is only permitted in local areas. People from England or anywhere else outside Wales will not be permitted to cross the border to exercise.
The Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Tegryn Jones said: “The clear measures announced by Wales’ First Minster Mark Drakeford on Friday apply to those living in Wales as well as those planning on travelling across the border into Wales."
He added: “In Wales the lockdown continues and you should stay at home unless you are undertaking essential activities.
“For those who do not live within walking distance the message from us is clear – do not visit Wales’s National Parks until the Welsh Government’s guidelines to avoid unnecessary travel in Wales have been lifted."
“We appreciate that the restrictions are challenging for people, but keeping our residents, visitors and staff safe is the first priority."
The authorities said the most popular rural hotspots in Wales including Snowdon, Pen y Fan and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path will remain closed using Welsh Government legislation until it is deemed safe to reopen them.
Emyr Williams, Chief Executive of Snowdonia National Park said:“These measures in Wales mean that people cannot drive to exercise in Wales – no matter where they live – and there will continue to be no parking or access to the most popular sites in the Welsh National Parks.
“We will continue to review closures on a weekly basis and will only open sites when it is safe to do so.”
Julian Atkins, Chief Executive of Brecon Beacons National Park said: “Exercise in the outdoors is hugely beneficial for physical and mental well-being and this has been recognised by Welsh Government in their minor amendments to legislation on Friday that now allow people to exercise from their doorstep more than once a day."
After the Easter Bank Holiday, a series of parody posters were created to encourage everyone to stay away from Wales during the lockdown. The message now remains the same.