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Coronavirus: Tourism hopes in Wales as five-mile travel limit ends | Coronavirus: Tourism hopes in Wales as five-mile travel limit ends |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Families and friends are able to reunite and enjoy outdoor attractions as travel restrictions are lifted in Wales. | Families and friends are able to reunite and enjoy outdoor attractions as travel restrictions are lifted in Wales. |
The "stay local" guidance, asking people to stay within five miles of home, has ended, with no limits on travel. | The "stay local" guidance, asking people to stay within five miles of home, has ended, with no limits on travel. |
Outdoor attractions have also been allowed to open, with owners saying they were "thrilled" to return. | Outdoor attractions have also been allowed to open, with owners saying they were "thrilled" to return. |
Two households will also be able to stay together indoors and overnight. | Two households will also be able to stay together indoors and overnight. |
This relaxation of lockdown restrictions comes as the number of coronavirus cases continues to fall. | This relaxation of lockdown restrictions comes as the number of coronavirus cases continues to fall. |
But First Minister Mark Drakeford has called for people to think "carefully about where we go and why". | But First Minister Mark Drakeford has called for people to think "carefully about where we go and why". |
Mr Drakeford called for people to follow the "golden rules" if further restrictions are to be lifted: | Mr Drakeford called for people to follow the "golden rules" if further restrictions are to be lifted: |
Despite the request to avoid unnecessary travel, from Monday there is no longer a limit to the distance people can travel. | Despite the request to avoid unnecessary travel, from Monday there is no longer a limit to the distance people can travel. |
Outdoor attractions, including Wales' national parks, were looking forward to welcoming visitors for the first time in 13 weeks. | |
'Have a Plan B ready' | 'Have a Plan B ready' |
The Brecon Beacons were open to visitors again on Monday morning, except the area around Llyn y Fan Fach. | The Brecon Beacons were open to visitors again on Monday morning, except the area around Llyn y Fan Fach. |
A spokeswoman for the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said they were looking forward to "providing a warm Welsh welcome", but reminded visitors to plan ahead. | A spokeswoman for the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said they were looking forward to "providing a warm Welsh welcome", but reminded visitors to plan ahead. |
"Although footpaths and car parks are open, many associated facilities are not," she said. | "Although footpaths and car parks are open, many associated facilities are not," she said. |
"Please remember that if it feels too crowded, it is too crowded and have a 'plan B' ready for your visit." | "Please remember that if it feels too crowded, it is too crowded and have a 'plan B' ready for your visit." |
The National Park Visitor Centre building remains closed, but toilets will be open to the public and information staff will be based outside. | The National Park Visitor Centre building remains closed, but toilets will be open to the public and information staff will be based outside. |
'We're hoping that people will be sensible' | 'We're hoping that people will be sensible' |
A spokeswoman for Brecon Mountain Rescue said teams had been training for the past few weeks with use of personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically in the mountain environment. | A spokeswoman for Brecon Mountain Rescue said teams had been training for the past few weeks with use of personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically in the mountain environment. |
"We're hoping that people will be sensible and gradually get themselves safely back into the mountains, but there may be an increase in calls towards the weekend," she said. | "We're hoping that people will be sensible and gradually get themselves safely back into the mountains, but there may be an increase in calls towards the weekend," she said. |
"If something was to happen, there could be a limited response of mountain rescue members, due to trying to limit the amount of members on the hill and minimise risk of covid to everyone involved." | "If something was to happen, there could be a limited response of mountain rescue members, due to trying to limit the amount of members on the hill and minimise risk of covid to everyone involved." |
She reminded visitors to stay within their limits, ensure they have the right equipment with them, to plan ahead and check weather conditions. | She reminded visitors to stay within their limits, ensure they have the right equipment with them, to plan ahead and check weather conditions. |
Meanwhile, as Snowdon reopened, Snowdonia National Park ran a social media campaign to make visitors aware of how to keep themselves safe and protect wildlife. | Meanwhile, as Snowdon reopened, Snowdonia National Park ran a social media campaign to make visitors aware of how to keep themselves safe and protect wildlife. |
Zip World said it was "thrilled" to be reopening its north Wales sites in Bethesda and Betws-y-Coed, although some of its other attractions remain closed for now. | Zip World said it was "thrilled" to be reopening its north Wales sites in Bethesda and Betws-y-Coed, although some of its other attractions remain closed for now. |
"Our vast outdoor spaces and the self-contained nature of our sites lend themselves naturally to socially responsible measures, meaning we can create a safe environment for locals and visitors to the area," said a spokesman for the adventure company. | "Our vast outdoor spaces and the self-contained nature of our sites lend themselves naturally to socially responsible measures, meaning we can create a safe environment for locals and visitors to the area," said a spokesman for the adventure company. |
Staff at the National Botanic Garden of Wales at Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire, which celebrated its 20th birthday during lockdown, said they were confident about safety. | Staff at the National Botanic Garden of Wales at Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire, which celebrated its 20th birthday during lockdown, said they were confident about safety. |
"Huge thanks to all our members, visitors, staff, volunteers, friends and everyone for sticking with us through these strange and difficult times," they said. | "Huge thanks to all our members, visitors, staff, volunteers, friends and everyone for sticking with us through these strange and difficult times," they said. |
"With 568 acres [230 hectares], we're more than confident we can meet all the social distancing guidelines but you will notice some changes which are designed to keep everyone safe." | "With 568 acres [230 hectares], we're more than confident we can meet all the social distancing guidelines but you will notice some changes which are designed to keep everyone safe." |
They asked visitors to expect queues as they carefully control the flow of visitors, which they are limiting to 500 each day. | They asked visitors to expect queues as they carefully control the flow of visitors, which they are limiting to 500 each day. |
'People want to be safe' | 'People want to be safe' |
Travel restrictions were introduced across the UK at the start of lockdown in March, although Wales kept its travel restrictions longer than the UK government did in England. | Travel restrictions were introduced across the UK at the start of lockdown in March, although Wales kept its travel restrictions longer than the UK government did in England. |
Tourist hotspots in Wales - such as Tenby in Pembrokeshire - were preparing for an influx once the restrictions are lifted. | Tourist hotspots in Wales - such as Tenby in Pembrokeshire - were preparing for an influx once the restrictions are lifted. |
Mayor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall admitted there had been a dilemma between balancing the need to kick-start the local economy while also maintaining the safety of both locals and visitors. | Mayor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall admitted there had been a dilemma between balancing the need to kick-start the local economy while also maintaining the safety of both locals and visitors. |
"It's very daunting at the moment - obviously people are very worried, but there are two sides to that - people want to be safe, but also we need to support our businesses," he said. | "It's very daunting at the moment - obviously people are very worried, but there are two sides to that - people want to be safe, but also we need to support our businesses," he said. |
"Tenby relies heavily on tourism, which in turn provides jobs for the local community. If we're not allowed to open, there will be no jobs and a lot of businesses will close by the winter." | "Tenby relies heavily on tourism, which in turn provides jobs for the local community. If we're not allowed to open, there will be no jobs and a lot of businesses will close by the winter." |
Back in the air | Back in the air |
It is not just restrictions on roads and rail that have been lifted - Cardiff Airport has officially reopened to passengers, with flights to Spain and Portugal on Monday. | It is not just restrictions on roads and rail that have been lifted - Cardiff Airport has officially reopened to passengers, with flights to Spain and Portugal on Monday. |
A single flight from Spain flew out of the airport on Friday, against Welsh Government advice. | A single flight from Spain flew out of the airport on Friday, against Welsh Government advice. |
But now operations are back with with industry support. | But now operations are back with with industry support. |
Operator Ryanair has been the first airline to restart services, with Vueling and Eastern Airlines also resuming in July. | Operator Ryanair has been the first airline to restart services, with Vueling and Eastern Airlines also resuming in July. |
"Having passengers back has been great," said director of operations Ceri Mashlan. | "Having passengers back has been great," said director of operations Ceri Mashlan. |
"A lot of work has been put in place to ensure we follow all the guidance." | "A lot of work has been put in place to ensure we follow all the guidance." |
Strict social distancing measures have been introduced, along with other coronavirus measures: | Strict social distancing measures have been introduced, along with other coronavirus measures: |
Airport officials said they expected flights from other operators, including TUI and KLM to resume during August. | Airport officials said they expected flights from other operators, including TUI and KLM to resume during August. |