A NEW travel ban will come into place on Friday which will prevent people travelling into Wales from “coronavirus hotspots”.

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford announced the travel ban which aims to stop people travelling into Wales from Tier 2 and Tier 3 restricted areas in England.

With Shropshire currently in Tier 1, how will this affect residents who live close to the border?

Here is what you need to know.

Will people from Shropshire be stopped at the Welsh border?

AS LONG as Shropshire remains in Tier 1 of restrictions, residents will be permitted to move across the border into regions that match their restriction level.

However, people travelling into Wales from coronavirus hotspots – areas in Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions – will be banned from entering the country.

The infection rate in Shropshire, since the beginning of the pandemic, stands at 712 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 989.

Which Welsh regions will people in Shropshire be able to travel to?

WITH no Welsh local lockdown currently imposed in Powys, Shropshire residents can travel across the border into their neighbouring county.

But with Wrexham county still adhering to local lockdown restrictions, Shropshire residents will be unable to visit the region.

How will people be prevented from entering Wales from Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas?

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has said police forces will carry out extra patrols on main roads to enforce a planned travel ban to prevent people entering Wales from Covid hotspots in the UK.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said holiday providers in Wales should not accept half-term bookings from people in areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus.

He added that existing bookings will no longer be honoured.

What will happen to those who break the travel ban rules?

THE First Minister confirmed on Thursday that fixed penalty notices will be issued to those who fail to comply with the new rules.

Mr Drakeford did say however that fines would be a last resort, as opposed to the first resort.

He said police officers will initially explain the rules and turn vehicles around before issuing fines.

He added: “Most people will be very happy to comply with those rules. If there are a minority of people who knowingly and flagrantly breach the law, then fixed-penalty notices will have to be applied to them.”

Will you be able to travel through restricted areas A5/A483 which runs through Wrexham county?

YES – Shropshire residents will be permitted to travel through a high health protection area areas to reach a destination.

For example, Oswestry residents could travel north on the A5 and A483 roads, which travel through Wrexham, but will not be allowed to stop in Wrexham and leave their vehicles.

There will be exceptions for those who work in areas subject to stricter restrictions across the Welsh border, who will be permitted to travel to work in those areas.

What have other politicians said?

WELSH Secretary Simon Hart has said the ban on people entering Wales from coronavirus hotspots "risks stirring division and confusion".

In a letter written to Mark Drakeford asking for clarification about the restrictions, Mr Hart also expressed his concern over the First Minister's comments that Welsh residents "would be on the lookout" for visitors breaching them.

Mr Hart wrote: "I remain worried that, without rapid explanation, this approach risks stirring division and confusion in Wales. We both know that, in reality, communities in Wales are as hard-hit by Covid-19 as English, Scottish and Northern Irish communities.

"Your recent comment about residents in West Wales being 'on the lookout for people who shouldn't be in those areas' is an example of exactly the situation we should be trying to avoid."

Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg has criticised the travel ban and labelled it “unconstitutional”.