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Wales Set To Reopen To UK Tourists From 6 July

Wales Set To Reopen To UK Tourists From 6 July

Mark Drakeford announced the latest step Wales is taking to ease lockdown restrictions

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

Wales is set to open borders and allow travel from other parts of the UK as of 6 July, the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed.

That means that the summer might not be a complete washout for Brits wishing to get away from home for a bit, because Wales' many beautiful sights and attractions will start to open up once again.

It should be said, this only applies to 'self-contained accommodation' such as caravans, holiday cottages and some hotels.

It's better than nothing, though.

PA

Drakeford told BBC Radio 5 Live: "On Monday 6 July, provided the virus is still under control, we will lift our 'stay local' instruction here in Wales and at that point the tourism economy will reopen in Wales.

"I've got to caveat it by saying we've got to be sure the virus is still under control at that point.

"Provided it is, the stay local restrictions will be abolished [on 6 July] and people inside Wales and from outside Wales will be able to travel.

"I'll be saying today to our tourism sector that they should use the next three weeks to prepare so that beyond that, self-contained accommodation will be able to reopen in Wales.

"People will be able to travel to holiday cottages or static caravans or hotels that are organised on a self-contained basis.

"And people will be able to take bookings in Wales on 13 July onwards."

PA

This move represents the latest step that Wales has taken to ease lockdown, after effectively closing the border with England earlier in the year.

As it stands, the hospitality sector could reopen on 4 July, meaning that there will actually be places for people to stay if they plan a short break.

North of the Border in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the latest loosening of restrictions yesterday, allowing people who live on their own - or with children under the age of 18 -to meet with people from one other household.

However, the expected announcement that some pubs could reopen didn't materialise, and those establishments, as well cafes, will remain shuttered until at least 15 July.

PA

Northern Ireland announced that its hospitality sector restart date had been brought forward to 3 July, when pubs that sell food and offer accommodation can reopen, provided safety measures and social distancing are in place.

As for England, there has been no such announcement on whether any of the hospitality sector will be able to start thinking about reopening.

A date of 4 July has been proposed in the past, but that has yet to be confirmed by any member of the government.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, Wales