With Pembrokeshire and the rest of the country still on lockdown the message from local authorities is ‘do not visit Wales’ until the Welsh Government’s guidelines to avoid unnecessary travel in Wales have been lifted.

Despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing on Sunday that some lockdown restrictions will be eased for those living in England, the Welsh Government’s First Minister stated last Friday (May 8) that the coronavirus lockdown in Wales has been extended for a further three weeks, with minor adjustments proposed but maximum caution maintained to ensure the virus does not spread.

To tackle the spread of coronavirus, the Welsh Government introduced regulations in March, which impose strict restrictions on gatherings, the movement of people and the operation of businesses, including closures, in Wales.

They also impose requirements on businesses that are open to take all reasonable measures to ensure physical distancing between people.

People are being asked to continue working from home if they are able to do so.

The Welsh Ministers must review the need for the requirements and restrictions in the regulations every 21 days.

The First Minister announced Wales would make a series of small adjustments to the regulations, including:

• Allowing people to exercise more than once a day, but people should stay local. This means any exercise should start and end at home and not involve going a significant distance from home.

• Enabling local authorities to begin the process of planning how to safely reopen libraries and municipal recycling centres.

• Allowing garden centres to open provided they comply with the physical distancing duty.

First Minister, Mark Drakeford said: “The coronavirus outbreak is unprecedented, as is our response.

“As a nation we have pulled together to tackle this virus, which has moved quickly around the world with tragic results. I want to acknowledge the loss some families have experienced. The actions we have taken to protect everyone, but particularly those at risk from serious illness, have been unparalleled.

“I want to thank everyone in Wales for this collective effort. Together we are helping to reduce the speed and spread of the virus. The result is a decreasing number of new cases and a reproduction rate that is going down.

“The Welsh Government is guided by the latest scientific evidence, advice from our Chief Medical Officer and the latest public health advice. The virus remains a very serious threat to us all and we cannot be complacent in any way. For that reason, the stay-at-home regulations will remain in place in Wales.

“Our preference remains a four-nation response to coming out of lock-down, and we remain in consultation with all parts of the UK. Our duty is to the people of Wales, and our decisions will be based on the evidence and specific circumstances of Wales.”

Speaking of the revised guidance, 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.

“In Wales the lockdown continues, and you should stay at home unless you are undertaking essential activities. This also means you should not drive to exercise, and only exercise from home, whilst following the Countryside Code.

“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. When the time is right we look forward to welcoming you back to the National Parks of Wales and most importantly doing this at a time when we can keep everyone safe.”

Pembrokeshire County Council leader David Simpson has also reaffirmed the ‘stay at home’ message for the county.

“I appreciate that over the weekend there has been information discussed at UK and Welsh Government levels in relation to the situation relating to Covid-19. You may have found some of this confusing,” he remarked.

“We are now seeing other countries slowly amending their lockdown rules, albeit very mindful that this virus has not been totally eradicated.

“One of the clear key messages is that the virus has not gone away. We are still tackling the pandemic and lives are still unfortunately being lost. We need to continue to work together to ensure the spread of the virus is minimised. Preservation of life is key.

“The First Minister made it clear that in Wales ‘we will proceed with maximum caution.’

“I am also aware that in Wales the First Minister has announced some minor changes to the ‘stay at home’ regulations. However, the fundamental principles are still in force.

“The modest changes will allow people to go outside to exercise more than once a day, but the law requires people to stay local; to start and end exercise at their homes and not to travel to exercise.

“The new regulations also allow garden centres to open. However, social distancing must be adhered to.

“To be clear: these adjustments do not change the Welsh Government’s overall advice to people - this continues to be stay at home - protect the NHS and save lives,” added Clr. Simpson.