Senior doctors want the Welsh Government to outlaw all second home use until the coronavirus pandemic has subsided.

The open letter, which has been signed by 15 clinicians from across Wales, urging the First Minister to make holiday home use illegal and outlines the danger of non-essential travel “in relation to the current public health emergency”.

Mark Drakeford has already hinted that regulations on people travelling to Welsh second homes could be tightened, with an announcement expected by the weekend.

All non-essential travel, including to second homes, is already illegal under the existing coronavirus guidelines.

But according to the open letter, there are concerns that the existing rules contained within The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Wales) Regulations 2020 are “insufficient” and need bolstering.

According to the senior GPs, the Welsh Government should:

• Make second home use illegal until the risk posed by Covid-19 has abated, even when lockdown restrictions begin to ease in other areas of Wales and the UK, in order to prevent a “second peak”.

• Prolong lockdown measures in rural tourist hotspot areas of Wales, specifically targeting non-essential travel into these areas.

• Empower police to enforce the above, with the power to compel those breaching these restrictions without reasonable excuse to return to their primary residence.

The letter adds: ‘Tourism and holiday home use facilitate non-essential movement into rural areas, increasing the population and thus placing additional pressures on local health and emergency services.’

The open letter, warns that North and West Wales could see a ‘second peak’ unless such measures are followed.

‘This could happen at the very worst of times – when staff resilience will be at rock-bottom, after weeks and months of pressure, and when global supplies of medical and personal protective equipment have been depleted,’ the letter continues.

‘We appreciate the economic value of tourism, but this cannot be at the cost of the health of our rural population.

‘We hope that the Welsh Government will show the value of devolution by being prepared to act in a swift, innovative, agile and decisive manner to safeguard the people of Wales.

‘Where necessary this must diverge from Westminster to meet our nation’s unique needs and challenges. Let history show that the Government of Wales acted when it mattered the most.’

Arfon AM, Sian Gwenllian, has added her voice to those calling for stricter guidelines on those using second homes in Wales during the Covid-19 outbreak, stating that as the Government has said they would be guided by the science - they must ‘listen to the clinicians’ and act quickly to protect local communities in Wales.

“While the vast majority of people have taken a sensible approach, staying in the primary residences, for weeks we have been calling for tougher measures to stop the few irresponsible individuals who have ignored the rules travelling,” she said, adding that it was a shame that the Welsh Government has taken so long to react that senior doctors now feel it necessary to go public in order for them to be listened to.

“We are asking our front line NHS heroes to work night and day, putting their lives on the line to fight this virus - Mark Drakeford and Vaughan Gething must now listen to them and act quickly to keep them and our constituents safe.”

Earlier this week Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Clr. David Simpson, reaffirmed that ‘now is not the time to travel to Pembrokeshire.’

“I want to highlight a few issues that have been brought to my attention regarding second homes and holiday accommodation,” commented Clr. Simpson.

“The current regulations are clear - residents should stay at their primary residence and that journeys to holiday accommodation or second homes are not essential travel.

“Police officers have the power to issue fixed penalty notices and turn back those travelling.

“The police and County Council are continuing to check vehicle movements and Fixed Penalty Notices will be issued if in breach.

“Travelling to a second home or holiday accommodation risks spreading the disease, so I urge people to stay at home. Now is not the time to travel to Pembrokeshire.

“As I have mentioned before, our county will be open for business in the future and we will then welcome back our visitors.

“This pandemic does not have any boundaries. Anyone can catch Covid-19 so stay at home and stay safe,” he continued.

“The very clear advice we have received is that any change to our social distancing measures now would risk a significant increase in the spread of the virus

“I have been informed by our officers that some people are still not adhering to the full rules. This is not acceptable. It is selfish and risks lives.

“Some people feel they are ‘local’ and that they can move around. This again is not acceptable. Everyone must adhere to the rules otherwise the spread of this awful virus will continue.

“Think about front-line staff; think and care about our NHS; think before you go out. Why take a chance?” added Clr. Simpson.