Senior figures including the First Minister and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys have urged people to stay away from tourist hotspots as the bank holiday weekend looms.

In an open letter ahead of the VE Day Bank Holiday weekend, the First Minister Mark Drakeford, Cllr Andrew Morgan, leader of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), the chair of Policing Wales & Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn, and the chair of the Welsh chief officer group Chief Constable Carl Foulkes, called on people to stay home.

The letter also makes clear that travelling to a second home does not ordinarily constitute essential travel, and that anyone leaving or remaining away from the place where they are living without a reasonable excuse is committing an offence.

“The vast majority of people are respecting the restrictions and are making strong efforts to adhere to them," the letter reads.

"We are asking everyone to continue to respect these measures. In particular, we are asking all owners of second homes in Wales to act responsibly and to avoid travelling to those homes until restrictions have been lifted.

"The Welsh Government and Public Health Wales have been clear throughout the emergency period that travelling to a second home does not ordinarily constitute essential travel. Indeed, anyone leaving or remaining away from the place where they are living without a reasonable excuse is committing an offence."

Police forces and local authorities in Wales have a range of enforcement powers, and the letter also warns that the police are remaining vigilant over the issue of people breaking the lockdown to travel.

“It is vital that we minimise transmission rates," the letter adds. "Ensuring that we travel only when essential and permitted plays a key part in this.

“We look forward to welcoming you back once it is safe again to do so. Until then please stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.”