Visitors told not to travel to Snowdonia for exercise whilst Covid-19 restrictions are in place

Visitors have been told they should not to travel to Snowdonia for exercise whilst the current alert level four Covid-19 restrictions are in place across Wales.

Snow fell over some areas of higher ground in North Wales today after a yellow weather alert was issued for most of the region.

Pictures have been shared on social media showing some of Snowdonia’s main car parks looking busy as people arrived to enjoy the wintry scenery.

However, the national park authority has reminded the public that they should stay local to exercise under the current guidelines enacted by the Welsh Government.

The authority tweeted: “Although the snow does look pretty on the mountains the current Welsh Government guidelines say people should only travel if it’s essential.

“No journeys of any significant distance should be taken, for example, just in order to exercise in the countryside or at beauty spots.”

The general rules at alert level four are that people must stay at home, except for very limited purposes.

You must not visit other households or meet with other people who you do not live with.

In specific relation to exercise, the regulations say that no long journeys should be undertaken unless absolutely necessary.

They state: “Your exercise should start and finish from your home and generally, this should not involve people driving to a location away from home.

“However, we recognise that some people, such as those with specific health or mobility issues, may need to travel from their home in order to exercise.

“For example, wheelchair users may not be able to start exercise immediately outside their hones for practical access reasons.

“Driving to a suitable flat location, such as a park, would be permitted in this instance.

“Where people need to drive to access exercise, the journey should be to the nearest convenient accessible location. No long journeys should be undertaken unless absolutely necessary.

“The need to carry sports equipment is not regarded as a justification on its own for driving in these circumstances.

“Leaving your home to exercise should not be used as an excuse to undertake other activity which is not permitted. The purpose of leaving home is to exercise.

“Going for a walk and then having a picnic or spending a prolonged period on a park bench, for example, is not considered to be exercise.”

The regulations can be accessed in full by visiting: https://gov.wales/leaving-your-home-and-seeing-other-people-alert-level-4