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Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Cathy Owen

Tourism boost for Wales as it's revealed some places likely to open again in July

People are likely to be able to book self-catering holidays in Wales from July 13.

Wales First Minster Mark Drakeford has told holiday businesses to get prepared for his next announcement on lifting restrictions in three weeks times.

He confirmed on Friday morning that the "stay local" five-mile restriction is due to be lifted on July 6, and added that he has had lengthy discussions with tourism bosses.

From July 13, he said people are likely to be able to go on holidays

  • to a static caravan with its own kitchen and toilet
  • to a rented cottage
  • to a hotel that has turned itself into self-contained accommodation.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, he said: "The visitor economy in Wales needs to use the coming three weeks to prepare to re-open self-contained accommodation in Wales during the month of July.

"Self-contained is very important. Stay local remains for two weeks because coronavirus spreads where people come together where they share facilities.

"If you have in Wales a static caravan that has got its own kitchen and bathroom, if you are renting a cottage, if you are going to a hotel that has turned itself into self-contained accommodation there will be a clear signal for me today to use the next three weeks to get everything you need in place.

"You will be able to start taking bookings for after July 13.

"I am aware how important these businesses are for so many communities in Wales and planning ahead will let that industry work with the local communities.

"We also have to be able to secure community consent for people travelling back into areas that have seen very few visitors and very little coronavirus.

"The people who work in the industry are the local people and they live in these places so the industry is well-placed to have those conversations. People outside Wales know that Wales will be open provided that the virus is under control."

All non-essential shops will also be allowed to open their doors again in Wales from Monday, June 22.

Mr Drakeford is ready to announce during the Welsh Government briefing on Friday that shops can reopen providing they can "take all reasonable measures to comply with the physical distancing duty in Welsh law".

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