Welsh Government announces that Wales will close its border with England

People in Wales will not be allowed to travel outside of the country without a reasonable excuse when the firebreak lockdown ends on the 9th of November.

Those living in England will also be prevented from crossing the border unless it is for an essential reason, the Welsh Government has confirmed.

Today the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, outlined a series of new rules which will come into place once the country comes out of lockdown on Monday next week.

Pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms, and all non-essential retail are all set to reopen – just four days after England’s month-long lockdown begins.

Mr Drakeford said the regular “to-ing and fro-ing” across the border would not be allowed to take place while different rules are in force in the two countries.

He admitted this would make the border the hardest it has been “for several centuries at least.” Already, police checkpoints have been set up to monitor motorists trying to drive into Wales.

Travelling for work will be deemed essential along with a small list of other reasonable excuses, which will be confirmed shortly.

Mr Drakeford said the announcement of a second lockdown in England came as a ‘surprise’, with the Welsh Government finding out through newspaper reports.

He said decisions about what is right for Wales “cannot and will not” be driven by what is happening in England, as all four nations of the UK increasingly act alone in their battle to contain the virus.

“Each of us has an important part to play in slowing the spread of coronavirus in Wales and saving lives – we cannot do this without your help.”

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