NEW rules to save lives and prevent the spread of coronavirus, closing public footpaths and car parks, have been published by the Welsh Government.

They are designed to complement the new strict stay-at-home regulations and prevent a repeat of scenes last weekend when large numbers of people gathered on Welsh beaches, in parks and mountainsides.

The new regulations close a number of popular beauty sports and visitor sites throughout Wales and impose a duty on local authorities, national park authorities, National Resources Wales and the National Trust to close certain public rights of way and access land.

Popular land areas and paths – including the associated main car parks - which are closed, include:

• Cadair Idris

• Carew Castle

• Castell Henllys

• Oriel y Parc

• Pen y Fan

• Sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path

• Waterfall Country Offas Dyke National Trail

• Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

Hannah Blythyn, deputy minister for housing and local government, says the action to close these areas was made ‘to keep people safe and reduce the pressure in our NHS’.

She said: “In Wales, we are blessed with beautiful natural landscapes the length and breadth of the country.

“We have taken the action to close certain footpaths and land in order to keep people safe and reduce the pressure in our NHS. Our message is simple, please stay at home and save lives.”

These new measures do not prevent people from going outside to exercise but encourage them to do so close to home, the deputy minister added.

The stay-at-home rules allow people to go out once a day close to home to exercise – but in groups of no more than two people. People must not travel unless absolutely necessary, they should stay 2m away from other people and observe strict hand washing and hygiene guidance.

People with symptoms of coronavirus– a high temperature or a new and persistent cough – must stay at home. People they live with must also stay at home for 14 days.