Threat of England hotspot travel ban to Wales

Threat of England hotspot travel ban to Wales

By Onlykhabar News Media Thu 15 October, 2020 ( about 5 years ago ) 🎤610 Viewerstravel

First Minister Mark Drakeford has threatened a travel ban in Wales on people from English Covid hotspots if the prime minister does not impose his own.

He said he is giving UK ministers "one final opportunity" before he makes changes in Welsh law. But it stopped short of making it illegal, angering Welsh ministers. The UK government announced on Monday that it will advise against non-essential travel from Merseyside. Mr Drakeford said he could close the border with England, but that is not his preferred option.  In 17 Welsh areas under local lockdown, people are subject to travel restrictions and cannot go in or out of the areas concerned except for a limited set of reasons, including to go to work or school.

Welsh ministers have asked for travel from areas with high rates of coronavirus in England to be restricted, to prevent people visiting parts of Wales where lockdowns are not in force and where rates are lower. They are not allowed to leave to go on holiday. However, UK government ministers who govern Covid rules in England have not made it illegal to travel. "I want to offer him one final opportunity to do the right thing, because that would be fair to people in Wales, and people across our border. 

He said the prime minister's solution of guidance "simply will not do", saying North Wales Police cannot turn people away on the basis of it. He said the letter will provide evidence, requested by UK government ministers, that people moving from areas with high levels of the virus to areas with low levels spread the virus. "We need rules that prevent people from high incidence areas coming into Wales to low incidence areas," he said. The practical problems include messaging and enforceability - the border sees millions of crossings every week and filtering lawful from unlawful journeys could be a major headache. Welsh Labour is a pro-union party and the idea of legislation banning some people from England crossing the Welsh border might sit uncomfortably.

Similar Posts

By Onlykhabar News Media Thu 15 October, 2020 🎤610 Viewerstravel
TAGS: Travel. Wales Tourism
Threat of England hotspot travel ban to Wales

Give Your Comments

Visitors on Site

Loading ..

Socialize

Latest News Highlight