First Minister Mark Drakeford has urged people from coronavirus hotspots not to travel into Wales over the bank holiday unless they test negative for Covid-19.

The Welsh Government said the message was directed at would-be holidaymakers including those from areas of England with high levels of the Indian variant in order to “help keep Wales safe”.

The latest from Herefordshire Council was that the Indian variant was not in the community, but was a contained outbreak at a farm in the county.

It would mean that Mark Drakeford's message was not aimed at Herefordshire, meaning people living in the county can make the trip across the border.

The UK Government has advised people living Bolton, Blackburn, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside to minimise travel out of their areas due to circulation of the mutated strain of Covid-19.

But Westminster has stopped short of restricting people from being able to travel out of the eight areas, with the late spring bank holiday weekend starting on Saturday.

On Wednesday, Mr Drakeford said: “Our tourism businesses will be looking forward to a busy week and the start of the summer season.

“I urge anyone planning a break in Wales from an area with higher rates of coronavirus, to test themselves regularly, using the free Covid-19 lateral flow tests, before they travel.

“Only those who have a negative test result and no symptoms of coronavirus should travel.

“Everyone coming to Wales from areas with a higher prevalence of coronavirus should bring lateral flow testing kits with them to continue regular testing while on holiday – this is an additional measure to help keep Wales safe.”

But what are the coronavirus rules in Wales at the moment?

Wales moved to Covid alert level two recently, meaning visiting other people in their homes is still not allowed, unlike in England where it is.

But hospitality has been allowed to reopen indoors.

Here are the main rules which would affect tourists this Bank Holiday weekend.

Can people from another household come into my home?

Generally, people from another household must not come in to your home unless you have formed an extended household (a bubble of two households) with them, the Welsh Government said.

There may also be other circumstances where people may need to come in to your home, including compassionate grounds, providing care and working in people’s homes.

Meeting people from another household socially indoors in another person’s home is not allowed under the rules, unless the household is part of your extended household.

Up to six people from up to six households (not including children under 11 from the households or carers of a member of these households) are permitted to meet outdoors, including in private gardens and private outdoor spaces. 

Who can I meet up with outdoors and at a restaurant?

Up to six people from up to six households (excluding any carers or children under 11 from any of these households) can meet outdoors at any one time.

This includes public outdoor spaces such as parks and outdoor areas of regulated premises and private outdoor spaces such as gardens.

Regulated premises are:

  • The premises of any business or service open to the public, including but not limited to retail premises, museums, theatres, concert halls, gyms, leisure and fitness facilities, community centres,  close contact service premises, cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants, registry offices, places of worship and libraries
  • Public transport vehicles, including taxis, trains and buses
  • Any building where work is carried out, including factories and office buildings

Up to six people from up to six households (excluding carers or children under 11 from any of these households) are permitted to meet in most indoor areas of regulated premises, for example, cafes, restaurants and pubs.

The only exception to this would be within premises such as gyms and retail premises that may seek to restrict the numbers of people who may enter at any one time.

Are picnics with people outside my household or extended household allowed?

Yes, if you remain outside and a maximum of six people from up to six households (not including children under 11 from the households or carers of a member of these households) meet at once.

The Welsh Government say you should maintain physical distancing and should avoid sharing or using the same items as people outside your household, for example plates, cups and food packages. 

Which sport, leisure and recreation facilities can open?

Outdoor sport and leisure facilities, such as parks, children’s playgrounds, tennis courts, golf courses, outdoor swimming pools and bowling greens, can open.

Facilities that are mainly outdoors but have some shelter, for example, golf driving ranges, can also open.

Some indoor sport facilities such as gyms, fitness facilities, leisure centres and swimming pools can also open.

Indoor recreation facilities, such as trampoline parks and indoor play centres can reopen from May 17.

People should ensure that they maintain social distancing and hand hygiene when visiting these facilities, the Welsh Government says.

The operators of these facilities must take all reasonable measures to manage risk and maintain physical distancing.

Who can I exercise with?

You can exercise in public outdoor places with:

  • members of your household or extended household, or
  • a group of people, as long as the total number of people exercising is no more than six from up to six households (excluding any carers or children under 11 from  any of those households)
  • a group of up to 50 people as part of an organised outdoor activity

You can exercise in indoor public places with:

  • members of your household, or
  • a group of up to 30 people as part of an organised indoor activity

What shops are allowed to open?

All retail and close contact services can open, but the Welsh Government says people should ensure that they maintain social distancing and hand hygiene when visiting shops.

Shops must take all reasonable measures to manage risk, including ensure measures to maintain physical distancing are put in place.

You should only meet in indoor regulated premises such as shops and supermarkets with people in your household unless you are accompanying a vulnerable person.

However, you are encouraged, wherever possible, to go to shops such as supermarkets on your own. This enables more people from different households to shop at the same time, whilst maintaining social distancing.

Are accommodation businesses in Wales allowed to open?

Yes, all accommodation can open.

All accommodation providers will be required to take all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to or the spread of the virus.

Who can I stay with in holiday accommodation?

You will only be able to share holiday accommodation, including hotel rooms, bed and breakfast accommodation, hostel or bunk house dormitory, holiday home, caravans and tents, with the people you live with in your household and people in your extended household (or anyone who is a carer of a member of the household).

The Welsh Government says this helps to reduce the risk of coronavirus being transmitted significantly, as sleeping in close proximity to other people carries a high risk of transmission due to the length of time you spend near each other. 

Can I travel to and from my second home or holiday home?

Travel out of Wales to countries within the UK and the wider Common Travel Area (CTA) is permitted. However, there may be restrictions in place within some countries within the CTA.

You will therefore need to check the restrictions in the area you would like to travel to ensure that travel for this purpose is permitted.

Can I take my caravan/motorhome to stay in a caravan park?

Yes. Parks are able to open their toilet, shower, pot wash and laundry areas for caravanners and campers, subject to measures being in place to ensure physical distancing and appropriate cleaning.

You will only be able to share holiday caravan or motorhome with the people you live with in your household and people in your extended household (or anyone who is a carer of a member of the household).

Can I go camping?

Yes – campsites are open.

The toilet/shower blocks, pot wash and laundry areas for campers will also be open subject to measures being in place to ensure physical distancing and appropriate cleaning.

You will only be able to share holiday accommodation, including tents with the people you live with in your household and people in your extended household (or anyone who is a carer of a member of the household).

What entertainment venues are closed?

The following visitor attractions are currently closed. This includes:

  • Ice skating rinks.
  • Nightclubs and adult entertainment venues.

What visitor attractions and entertainment venues can open?

  • Arts and entertainment venues and the majority of indoor visitor attractions are permitted to open, including:
  • funfairs, amusement parks and theme parks
  • swimming pools
  • museums
  • farm attractions
  • zoos
  • heritage sites
  • historic monuments (such as castles)
  • historic parks or gardens (such as those run by the National Trust)cinemas 
  • bowling alleys
  • indoor play centres
  • trampoline parks and centres
  • skate parks and centres (ice skating rinks must remain closed)
  • indoor museums
  • galleries
  • bingo halls
  • casinos
  • amusement arcades
  • theatres and concert halls

Where will face coverings be required?

Face coverings must be worn in all indoor public places. This also applies on public transport and taxis, and in places where take-away food and drink is sold.

This applies to everyone aged 11 and over, unless an exception applies. Children under 11 do not have to wear face coverings.

Please visit our guidance on face coverings to see the rules on when face coverings are required and details on exemptions.

Who enforces the restrictions?

The restrictions are being enforced by local authority enforcement officers and the police.

What can police and local authority enforcement officers do?

They can issue fixed penalty notices or recommend prosecution in a magistrates’ court. In addition, they have wide-ranging powers to take practical steps to disperse gatherings, require people to go home and enter property.

What will the police do?

The police in Wales will engage with people, explain what they need to do and encourage them to comply.

But police forces have been given powers and they will use them – the restrictions will be enforced if people don’t respond.

What are the financial penalties?

The coronavirus regulations include provisions for a fixed penalty notice to be issued for most types of breaches of the regulations, carrying a fine of £60; this is increased to £120 for a second offence and continues to double for repeated offences, up to a maximum of £1,920.

If prosecuted, however, a court can impose any fine (it is not limited).

Organising an unlicensed music event of more than 30 people is a separate criminal offence.

These are events that are not licensed or otherwise authorised under the Licensing Act 2003.

A breach of this prohibition will be an offence punishable by conviction and an unlimited fine or, as an alternative to conviction, by a fixed penalty set at £10,000.  

The unlimited fine or significant fixed penalty for organisers of these illegal events reflects the potentially serious public health consequences at this time.

We hope people understand the severity of the situation we are facing and will comply with the regulations, without having to be issued penalties.