MINISTERS in the Welsh Government have been urged to make a U-turn on their “incomprehensible” decision to keep Dan Yr Ogof, National Showcaves Centre for Wales, closed.

Most indoor tourist attractions were given the green-light to re-open this week in Wales, but staff at Dan Yr Ogof have been told to keep the doors shut.

And now the Association of British and Irish Showcaves (ABIS) are recommending that all of the tourist attractions under its umbrella close for a day to show support and solidarity for Dan Yr Ogof.

Professor John Gunn, an international expert on caves and someone intimate with Dan Yr Ogof, said after finding out the Welsh Government wasn’t allowing the attraction to re-open: “I find this a very odd decision that is not based on any scientific evidence.”

He said: “The Dan Yr Ogof Caves, in common with the other caves in the ABIS network, are formed in limestone and have very efficient ventilation. I realise that the Welsh Government have adopted a cautious approach with respect to Covid-19 but caves similar to Dan Yr Ogof have been allowed to open in England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, subject to the usual risk assessments.

“I can see absolutely no reason why Dan Yr Ogof should not be allowed to open subject to similar conditions. As well as being very beautiful these caves are of a high scientific value, which is why they are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and are also designated as a National Nature Reserve.

“The owners have managed the caves to a very high standard and provide the only visitor experience of its kind in Wales. I would urge the Welsh Government to reverse their decision and to allow the caves to open thereby giving tourists the opportunity to visit and enjoy them.”

Public Relations Officer for ABIS Daniel Medley, who is also director of Wookey Hole in Somerset, added: “Dan Yr Ogof Showcaves fully complies with all the requirements that ABIS requires of a Showcave to be a member of ABIS.

“We learnt about the Dan Yr Ogof situation because of a marked increase in the number of visitors coming from the South Wales area. On analysing why our figures had increased from Wales we found that it was because Dan Yr Ogof is closed. Obviously, extra visitors are always welcome at Wookey Hole but on this occasion it has left a very sour taste.

“All ABIS Showcaves are relying on the next crucial main six weeks holiday period. If Dan Yr Ogof is forced to remain closed by the Welsh Government the future of the Showcave must be in doubt.

“We do not understand the reasons for the Welsh Government’s decision as Dan Yr Ogof are Limestone Caves just like the rest in the ABIS membership, the only difference is that we are all open, and Dan Yr Ogof is now the only Showcave in Britain and Ireland not open.

“If we could ‘magically transport’ Dan Yr Ogof Caves to England they would be most welcome, as it is obvious that the Welsh Government does not realise the wonderful natural asset that they have in Wales.

“What is happening to Dan Yr Ogof is a tragedy for the owners and staff”.

First Minister for Wales Mark Drakeford told the Brecon & Radnor Express: “The huge majority of indoor attractions have reopened, but there are a small number where we are yet to be sufficiently convinced that the safety of the public can be safeguarded and those are places that operate in confined spaces, in the dark, in the damp and in the cold.

“Now because there are literally a hand full of them, officials from Welsh Government will be in contact with every one of them individually because their circumstances are not identical to check with them the safeguards that they are prepared to put in place and the mitigating measures that they can offer.

“As soon as we are sure that they are reopening in a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of their staff and the public then we will look to reopen them as well.

“But what we know about the virus is that it hates the sun, it hates the daylight, it loves the cold, it loves the dark and it loves the damp - and organisations that operate in those circumstances have to have a higher level of obligation to demonstrate that they can reopen in a way that doesn’t put people’s health at risk.

“I hope they can and we are taking a positive spirit but they have responsibilities and they will have to show that they are discharging those responsibilities is a way that puts the health of the public - rather than their own commercial interest - at the forefront of that decision making.

Ashford Price, pictured left, from the showcaves, said: “I really appreciate the help the other showcaves are giving us. The fact that they are intending to close for a day was news to me as they did not want me to know of this extraordinary unique offer until the press release went out. They have been brilliantly supportive in our hour of need”

Among the caves which have agreed to close for a day are: Cheddar Caves, Ingleborough Cave, Kents Cavern, Peak Cavern Ltd, Poole’s Cavern, Stump Cross Caverns, Treak Cliff Cavern, Wookey Hole Caves, White Scar Cave, Marble, Aillwee Cave, Crag Cave and Doolin Cave