Welsh face FINES for travelling to Tier 3 areas under new laws

THE WELSH face fines for travelling to very high risk areas in the UK by barmy First Minister Mark Drakeford banned people from crossing over into very high risk areas in the UK

He has made it illegal to come and go into Wales from Tier 3 areas in England, Level 3/4 areas in Scotland and ALL of Northern Ireland.

Everyone in Wales is “strongly advised” against leaving the Principality to areas with lower virus rates.  

People could even be arrested if they break the rules – though it is unlikely police will do so.

The rules will be relaxed for the Christmas bubble break, but are expected to last well into the new year.

From 6pm on Friday, regulations will allow travel between Wales and Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas in England, and Level 1 and Level 2 areas of Scotland.

Mr Drakeford said: “There will be no restrictions on travel within Wales but we need to have some restrictions on travel across the border to those parts of the UK where infection rates are high to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“We are also advising people in Wales not to travel into those parts of England and Scotland where the infection rate is lower, to help prevent them taking coronavirus with them.

“Coronavirus doesn’t respect borders – we all have a part to play in keeping Wales and the UK safe.

“Please think carefully about where you are going and what you are doing. This virus thrives wherever we come together with others.

“Taken together with our other measures, these travel restrictions will help to keep us all safe.”

People in Wales were forced into drastic restrictions, with pubs and restaurants banned from selling alcohol, and slapped with a daily 6pm curfew.

Mr Drakeford previously introduced the travel ban over the border when he put Wales into a three week “firebreak” lockdown.

And the ban stayed in place after Boris Johnson introduced national lockdown measures for England.

Last week, Welsh police were sent to patrol for anyone trying to sneak over from England to hit the Black Friday sales.

Both Wales and Scotland have introduced tough rules against people travelling across the border into England.

In Scotland, it is illegal to leave Level 3 or 4 areas.

And Scots are also not allowed to cross the border over into England.

Anyone who flouts the rules will be punishable by minimum £60 fixed penalties.

Huge parts of Scotland, including Glasgow, have been placed under restrictions akin to the March lockdown, with pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops closed under the draconian Level 4 rules.