Welsh banned from travelling more than five miles to pubs in England on Super Saturday

Welsh people fancying a pint on "Super Saturday" can only travel to England if they live within five miles of the border.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said that while those living very close to England may be able to visit venues serving alcoholic beverages, the vast majority would not be permitted to travel.

Police have also urged Welsh residents to heed the “stay local” advice, while Transport for Wales said public transport should only be used for “essential travel”.

It comes as pubs in England were able to open from 6am on July 4 but those in Wales will only be able to operate outdoors from July 13. The “stay local” requirement in Wales will end on Monday when two households will be able to form one extended household – enabling families to be reunited.

In a press conference on Friday, Mr Drakeford was asked what he would say to those in Wales who were considering travelling to England over the weekend to visit a pub.

“I certainly do say to people who are thinking of going across the border that the five-mile advice, the stay local regulations, remain in place in Wales this weekend,” Mr Drakeford said.

“So while there are populations very close to the border who may choose to travel, for most of us that will not be a possibility.”

Mr Drakeford stressed the need for people to behave in ways that “allow us all to continue to be safe”.

“Please, wherever you are in Wales, this weekend is not a reason or an excuse to abandon all the things that you have worked so hard to achieve,” he said.

“Please continue to do those things and help to keep Wales safe.”

In a tweet, North Wales Police urged people to continue to stay local over the weekend.

Gwent Police told the BBC that it would be continuing regular patrols ahead of the travel restrictions being lifted.

Those breaching coronavirus regulations in Wales face enforcement measures including penalty fines, which can rise to £1,920 for repeated breaches.

Transport for Wales asked people only to use public transport for essential travel and where no other options are available.

It said this is to ensure there is enough space for key workers and those without alternative options to travel safely.

James Price, chief executive of Transport for Wales, said: “Covid-19 is an evolving situation and over the next week there are important changes in advice from UK and Welsh governments.

“However, we need to reinforce our travel safer campaign highlighting that public transport is for essential travel and where there are no other travel alternatives.”

On Friday, Public Health Wales said a further two people had died in Wales after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of deaths to 1,525.

The number of positive tests for Covid-19 had risen by 26 to 15,841, it said.

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