Police have issued fines to a number of people after they broke up a 'secret' illegal wedding party in Wales.
Officers were called to an address in the Heolgerrig area of Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday night (March 27) after receiving reports people were gathering in breach of coronavirus regulations.
It is unclear how many people attended the event but police handed out fines to eight people when they arrived, reports Wales Online.
Despite the Welsh Government lifting the ban on travel in Wales from Saturday, meaning an end to the ‘stay local’ rule, people are still prohibited from gathering indoors with people from other households. Outdoors up to six people from two different households can meet and exercise.
In February the Welsh Government allowed licensed wedding venues, such as visitor attractions and hotels, to re-open but only to perform wedding and civil partnership ceremonies.
The number of people who can attend depends on the size of the venue and its ability to allow people from different households to observe social distancing. Wedding receptions or other social gatherings after the ceremony remain banned.
Get the biggest stories from across Bristol straight to your inbox
The Welsh Government guidance states: "Many people will want to celebrate the occasion with a reception or other forms of social gatherings with friends and family. In alert level four receptions are prohibited." You can read the full rules here.
One person, who did not attend the event but knew others that were invited, told WalesOnline: “There was a secret wedding gathering on private land in an abandoned barn.
"Police arrived at the scene and guests were seen walking away from the event. I know people who were invited to the event and it was public for everyone to see on Snapchat maps.”
South Wales Police said there were eight people present but one image shared with Wales Online appears to shows several more guests enjoying the celebrations.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “At around 5.20pm on Saturday evening officers attended an address in the Heolgerrig area of Merthyr Tydfil following a report of a gathering in breach of Welsh Government Covid regulations.
"Upon attendance fixed penalty notices were issued to all present (eight) and they were advised to vacate the premises.”
