BEAUTY SPOTS AND SCENIC ROUTES DESERTED AS CLAMPDOWN AND ‘STAY HOME’ MESSAGE TAKE EFFECT
BEAUTY spots across North Wales appeared deserted on Sunday as people were urged to continue staying home in the fight against coronavirus.
It comes after police last weekend had to deal with a “substantial amount of people” caught travelling, despite restrictions on non-essential travel.
After police issued a stern warning during the week, where they said anyone caught flagrantly breaching the rules would be fined, the message appears to have been understood by most.
With car parks blocked off and police and other agencies on patrol, the roads around the most popular walking routes appeared to be deserted.
On Sunday, police said they had still had “approximately 100 reports and queries [on Saturday] with regards to Covid-19 regulations and breaches”.
They added: “The critical situation our NHS colleagues are facing and the way the new virus variant moves through communities means we can no longer spend our time explaining or encouraging people to follow rules where they are wilfully and dangerously breaching.
“If people continue to break the rules, putting themselves, their families and their communities at greater risk, our officers are ready to act robustly.”
Last weekend, police said they had to deal with people who had driven to places such as Snowdonia, Moel Famau, Llangollen, Brenig, Wepre Park, Llandudno and Abergwyngregyn.
They said most of those caught breaking the rules were from North Wales, although some had travelled from further afield.
Lasts week, temporary assistant chief constable Nigel Harrison said: “We all know the law by now and know exactly what is the right thing to do.
“It is not acceptable to pick and choose the law you follow and the laws you don’t.
“This is not a dress rehearsal and people will live and die on the actions we all choose. Now is not the time to head up into the mountains or to enjoy scenic drives in the countryside.
“Exercise should start and finish from home, unless you have specific mobility issues where you can drive a short distance. Nobody should be travelling unless absolutely essential.”