TRAVEL restrictions will be in place from Friday evening in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The Welsh Government confirmed earlier this week that it is preparing 'urgent action' to prevent people who live in areas with high coronavirus infection rates across the UK from travelling to Wales.

This action is being taken after Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed to respond to requests to make advisory travel guidance in English coronavirus hotspots mandatory.

Under the new regulations being prepared by Welsh Ministers, people living in areas with a high-prevalence of coronavirus in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland would not be able to travel to Wales for the time being.

They will help prevent the virus moving from such high-prevalence areas to lower-prevalence communities.

Wil half-term coming up, holiday trips to areas in Wales will be banned for people in high risk areas.

Current hot spot areas are areas under local restrictions in Wales, tier 2 and tier 3 areas in England, the central belt of Scotland, and all of Northern Ireland.

The Welsh Government is finalising its regulatory approach to the travel restrictions which will be announced shortly.

The new restrictions are planned to come into force on Friday, October 16 at 6pm.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously announced a new three-tier system for England which saw new restrictions in place such as the closure of bars and pubs and the banning of mixing households.

However, non-essential travel was only advised against, not banned.

The Liverpool City Region remains in the Very High, tier-3 which includes Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens, Sefton and Halton.

Cheshire West and Chester as well as Cheshire East are in the Tier Two, high category.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Evidence from public health professionals suggests coronavirus is moving from east to west across the UK and across Wales. As a general rule, it is concentrating in urban areas and then spreading to more sparsely populated areas as a result of people travelling.

“Much of Wales is now subject to local restriction measures because levels of the virus have risen and people living in those areas are not able to travel beyond their county boundary without a reasonable excuse. This is designed to prevent the spread of infection within Wales and to other areas of the UK.

“We are preparing to take this action to prevent people who live in areas where there are higher covid infection rates across the UK from travelling to Wales and bringing the virus with them.

“I am determined to keep Wales safe.”

However, concerns have been raised by The Police Federation of England and Wales who said the restrictions will be 'unenforceable' and will 'add to the difficulties' officers face.

Police in Wales could use number plate technology to catch people from UK coronavirus hotspots who illegally enter the country, the First Minister has said.

Mark Drakeford said having officers patrol highways is one way to enforce a proposed travel ban on visits to Wales by people living in areas of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland with high levels of Covid-19 from Friday.

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