Family From Sussex Travel Five Hours To Wales - Only To Get Escorted Away By Police

A family from Sussex decided to ignore the Welsh travel ban - only to be escorted away by police as they tried to enter the country.

Police said the family had travelled for 'over five hours' from Sussex, even though their journey was for a 'non-essential reason'.

Their trip ground to a halt when they were spotted driving along the A40 in Whitland, Carmarthenshire, during the early hours of Friday morning (23 October).

With Wales currently in a 'firebreak' lockdown, the government has advised that people should only travel if their journey is essential, meaning those hoping to enter the country would need a reasonable excuse to do so.

PA

However, when the family were confronted, police found their journey was deemed non-essential, and sent them packing.

A Twitter statement from Carmarthen Police said: "During the early hours, a family from Sussex were stopped on the A40, Whitland.

"Despite being aware of the national lockdown, they travelled over 5 hours for a non-essential reason.

"The occupants were suitably advised and escorted out of county."

Wales entered a two-week firebreak lockdown on Friday in an attempt to bring down the number of cases and slow the spread of coronavirus.

This means that anyone who doesn't work in an essential job will have to stay at home, as with the previous UK-wide lockdown in March.

All hospitality settings, as well as schools and other public amenities, will have to close for the fortnight-long period, which will last for a fixed period until 9 November.

As for those wanting to enter Wales during this time, an FAQ section on the Welsh government's website explains: "Travel into Wales is limited to essential travel only during the firebreak period, for example travelling for work purposes or to return home.

"People travelling from an exempt county or territory need a reasonable excuse to enter and remain in Wales and must follow the firebreak regulations, as explained in this guidance.

"People travelling from a non-exempt country need a reasonable excuse to enter and remain in Wales and must isolate for 14 days on arrival."

Topics: UK News, News, Wales

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman