CARAVAN parks, camping sites and some tourism hotspots are being closed today as the Welsh Government attempts to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Walking routes up Pen y Fan are also due to be closed and the National Trust is closing all its car parks by the end of Tuesday, March 24.
First Minister Mark Drakeford announced what the Welsh Government called "tough" new measures following criticism it hadn’t acted to prevent a large influx of visitors over the weekend.
Concerns have been raised holidaymakers and second home owners and those staying at camping sites could help spread the coronavirus from urban areas to rural locations where the health service will be unable to cope with large numbers of people requiring treatment.
Powys council is closing parks and playgrounds.
Mr Drakerford said those staying at campsites will also be asked to return to their home address. The measures do not apply to permanent residents of park home sites.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Wales is a beautiful country and attracts millions of visitors every year – but now is not the time for unnecessary journeys. We want people to come to Wales when the threat of coronavirus has passed.
“Today, we are taking action to close caravan parks, campsites and some of our most recognisable visitor sites to keep people safe and to reduce the pressure on our NHS.
“My message is simple. Please stay at home and save lives.”
Local authorities are also enforcing the closure of pubs throughout Wales following reports some are flouting the shutdown introduced on Saturday. Licensed premises, which continue to trade will risk losing their licence.
The Welsh Government said it was introducing tougher measures following concerns people aren’t following advice to follow social distancing by avoiding socialising and group gatherings or large numbers of people congregating in one place.
Among the sites that attracted large numbers over the weekend were Pen y Fan and the waterfalls area around Ystradfeltte despite official advice to avoid unnecessary travel.
Emyr Williams, lead officer for the National Parks Wales, said: “We welcome this move. At this time is essential that people do not travel unnecessarily and overwhelm our rural areas.
“Following this announcement we will be closing access to key hotspots such as Snowdon, and I know my colleagues in the Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Coast National Parks are taking similar action, for example closing routes to both Sugar Loaf and Pen-y-Fan.”
Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Frank Atherton said: “It’s important people continue to stay active but please do this close to home.
“We need to do everything we can to prevent the spread of this virus – that means not traveling unless absolutely necessary and avoiding close contact with other people by staying two metres away.
“Everyone should also continue to wash their hands regularly with soap and hot water.”The National Trust runs the Pont ar Daf carpark at the foot of Pen y Fan. Its director general Hilary McGrady said: “Following the scenes we saw at the weekend, where visitors travelled to coast and countryside, it is really important that we do all we can to discourage travel, and ask people instead to stay local and observe social distancing as guided by the government. It is so important that people stay at home. We must all work together and not see a repeat of those weekend scenes."