'Snowdon is closed, Pen y Fan is closed,' Transport Minister Ken Skates urges English tourists not to travel to Wales

Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates has appealed for people in England not to travel to Wales as new lockdown rules come into force there.

It comes as new lockdown rules are introduced in England, allowing people there to travel for exercise.

But in Wales, people must stay local.

During Wednesday's press conference, Mr Skates said: ''I'd like to say to people in Wales, and England, Northern Ireland and further afield, you are going to be very warmly welcomed to Wales when we are through this crisis.

''But please, right now, stay at home unless it's absolutely essential.

''Caravan parks and campsites are closed in Wales, Snowdon is closed, Pen y Fan is closed.''

Owners of hotels and hostels across Wales say they have been inundated with people trying to book accommodation after it was announced lockdown restrictions would be eased in England.

There have also been reports of increased traffic to Snowdon, suggesting that more people are visiting.

On Wednesday, a camper van driver was told by police to return home after travelling 200 miles from Middlesex to the seaside at Tywyn in south Gwynedd.

North Wales Police warned that “restrictions in Wales remain.''

The transport minister also said people in Wales should not avoid public transport for essential journeys.

''There have been calls from outside of Wales for people to avoid public transport,'' he said.

''This is certainly not our message here in Wales.

''This stores up social justice issues in the short term, bearing in mind that 1 in 5 people do not own a car and desperately need to be able to access public transport to get to and from work.''