Easter could see tourists... but no pubs or cafes

HOLIDAYMAKERS could be able to come to Wales for Easter but restaurants, pubs and cafes may remain shut.

Welsh Government is expected to publish a roadmap to reopening schools and the economy this week.

It comes as Covid cases fall thanks to lockdown and vaccinations.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has been pressed on what parts of the tourism economy could reopen for Easter in April - a crucial period for the sector.

He said that they could pursue a similar policy to that last summer with self contained holiday accommodation opening first.

This could mean cottages, lodges and potentially hotel rooms being opened for bookings.

But he also made clear he did not expect hospitality to be part of that initial reopening.

Mr Drakeford told BBC Politics Wales: “I can’t imagine we will be opening hospitality in that way but I do want to recognise how important it is.”

When asked if outdoor hospitality could be allowed, he added: “What I think we are looking at for Easter, and I want to recognise how important Easter is for the tourism industry, are the sort of first steps that we offered last year where we were able to reopen self contained accommodation first for people and then demonstrate the success of that and move on.

“That was a welcome move last year.

“If things continue to improve and we are in that position closer to April then I hope we will be able to offer that but we will have to assess that in the conditions at the time.”

At times last years hotels in Wales were able to open but only provide meals in people’s rooms and later outdoor hospitality was allowed.

Meanwhile, UK Hospitality said for every week the hospitality sector remains shut down more companies are being placed in jeopardy and millions of jobs across hospitality and the supply chain put at risk across the whole of the UK.

UKHospitality Cymru executive director David Chapman said: “Trading is likely to be sub viable for some time so we will need a financial package to protect jobs and businesses through to the summer and beyond.”

A WOMAN has been found dead at a house in Gwynedd.

Emergency services were called to a property on Y Wern in Y Felinheli near Caernarfon on Sunday morning where the body of a 27-year-old woman was discovered.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious, police said.

A force spokesman said: “We were called at 7.41am on Sunday 14th February by colleagues at Welsh Ambulance Services Trust, to assist at an address on Y Wern, Y Felinheli.

“Sadly, the body of a 27 year old woman was discovered.

“The incident is not being treated as suspicious and the Coroner for North West Wales has been informed. Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.”