UKC

Ok, does anyone know if we can climb in Wales, specifically Gower, at at the moment because the rules aren't the clearest, would be going there from England??

It sounds as though it was OK before today from what friends have said. I haven't made sense of today's rule changes yet though...

Yes, o was there a couple weeks ago but unsure if latest rules

Outside the areas with local lockdowns today's rules require you to consider whether or not your travel is "essential".

There is not a complete ban on travel for exercise or leisure but the principal of reducing your exposure to other people (during travel or at the destination) should be respected. 

We'll be updating the BMC article on this first thing tomorrow. 

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/coronavirus-update-new-rule-of-6

The latest situation announced by the First Minister tonight is that strict local restrictions apply to a number of South Wales counties, specifically no travel to or from the counties of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil. If you live outside of these areas you can travel through these places to other non lockdown areas but cannot stop at these places.  You can still travel for work and critical purposes to and from these closed areas, and for exempt activites such as medical care or caring for somone, etc.but not for recreation or socialising. 

Further local lockdowns are expected if infection rates contiue to increase, looking most likely to be Swansea (inc Gower), Denbighshire, Conwy and possibly Anglesey. 

There are currently no formal closures actually in place at any of the national parks or honeypot areas but the regulations that enable that are still in place but not currently being utilised. 

There are no new restrictions on travel for recreation to the non lockdown areas but the Health Minister strongly advised, in an interview tonight, that only travel that was strictly "neccessary"  should be undertaken but this is not in the new regulations and not legally enforcable. 

All pubs, restaraunts, cafes have to close at 10pm and from tomorrow no alchohol sales anywhere after 10pm. 

In Wales, you can only meet indoors with your nominated extended households (four in Wales) and then only with a maximum of six adults.  We don't think the restrictions on gathering outdoors have changed - up to thirty can still meet outdoors for organised meets/sports but will need to see the new regulations and guidance to confirm that this is still the case. 

Elfyn Jones

BMC Access & Conservation Offcier (Wales)

Thank you Elfyn, great to get latest straight from the horse's mouth, cheers

I got my info from Boris, straight from the horse's arse, so to speak.

I agree with you on climbing but we're all being asked to only travel if essential

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/coronavirus-drakeford-johnson-r...

'And think carefully about making journeys: only travel when you need to do so. The fewer people we meet and the fewer journeys we make, the safer we all are.'

So climbing seems fine but traveling is starting to take the piss, that's before you factor having to travel through the local lockdown.

On the BBC website this morning:

To smear more mud on what initially seems to be a clear message;

"Latest travel advice 'does not mean no holidays' in Wales, First Minister says" latest ITV headline. Surely this involves travel....

Maybe you would find it a little clearer if you read /posted what he actually said, rather than just the headline:

Drakeford told the Today programme that, despite the call for essential travel only, it was still "very possible" for people in Wales to have a holiday "without travelling very far at all".

"So people have got to make those decisions in their own circumstances, so we're not saying 'no holidays' to people," he said.

"But just think carefully, avoid unnecessary travel."

Whilst admitting that travel through the country from England would not be policed in a 'conventional sense', "It’s an appeal to people to think carefully about those journeys," Mr Drakeford continued. “If they’re necessary you must make them. If they’re not necessary, please don’t travel unless you have to. That is the message here in Wales."

I'm definitely picking outs points which favour my viewpoint. But he also states; 

"He said that people in England should think "very carefully" before making non-essential journeys into Wales - but they are "not saying no" to holidays in the country."

This to me reads he's not saying no. There is not specific guidelines on travel just some woolly statement. It's clearly not essential to go to the pub but they are not closed... So you can see why people will justify in their own minds travel for climbing and walking as it doesn't really present any additional risk. I totally agree it's not necessary - but I'm not convinced hotels and accommodation is going to give travellers a refund based on this statement. 

When are you planning on coming to Gower?

Probably a couple of days away from a local lockdown here now. Covid cases have doubled in 3 days. If tomorrow's increase is the same as today then it'll go above the threshold for triggering one.

Yep, just seen on news it's being locked down, along with Cardiff and llanelli

Getting closer to Pembroke !