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New international travel rules for Wales confirmed by First Minister

International travel will restart for people in Wales from Monday 17 May, the Welsh Government has confirmed today.

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As part of changes to Wales’ coronavirus regulations, people living in Wales will be able to travel to some overseas destinations without the need to quarantine on their return.

But additional safeguards will be put in place to help prevent new cases of coronavirus being imported into Wales.

A traffic lights system, aligned with England and Scotland, will be introduced. Countries will be classified as green, amber and red, depending on their rates of coronavirus.

Mandatory quarantine is in place for all people returning to the UK from countries on the amber and red lists. All people returning from overseas travel must have a PCR test.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

 “Wales, like other parts of the UK, will be restarting international travel. But protecting people’s health continues to be our top priority and we want to do everything we can to prevent coronavirus from being re-imported into Wales.  “This will not be like travel in the past. Everyone travelling abroad will have to have a test when they come home and for many people, they will need to quarantine when they get home. There are significant fines in place for those who do not follow the legal requirements. “Some countries are not yet opening up travel to people from the UK. It’s my strong advice that this is the year to stay at home and enjoy all that Wales has to offer.”

Under the international travel rules:

• People arriving from green-list countries are not required to quarantine on their return to Wales, but they must book and pay for a mandatory PCR test on or before day two of their return. All travellers and members of their household will also be reminded about the availability of additional lateral flow tests to continue to monitor their health.
• People arriving from amber-list countries are required to quarantine for 10 days at home on their return. This is a legal requirement. They are also required to book and pay for mandatory PCR tests on day 2 and on day 8. Unlike in England, Wales does not operate a test-to-release scheme where an additional test can be taken on day 5 to reduce the period of quarantine. This is because some 30% of people who develop Covid-19 do so after day 5.
• People arriving from countries on the red list are required to quarantine for a full 10 days on arrival in the UK at a designated UK port in a government-managed facility – a ‘covid hotel’ – at their own cost, starting from £1,750 per person. All UK entry points for arrivals from red-list countries are in England and Scotland, which means Welsh residents returning from those countries will need to quarantine outside Wales. Travellers are also required to book and pay for mandatory PCR tests on day 2 and day 8.

All those who do not follow the rules for red-list countries face fixed notice penalties of £10,000.

Welsh residents must also consult the requirements for visitors for any country they plan to travel to. Restrictions may be in place, including proof of vaccination, tests, quarantine and reasons for entry.

Vaccination status certificates will be available for people in Wales who have had 2 doses of their vaccination and need to urgently travel to a country that requires covid vaccination proof from Monday 24 May.

The First Minister added:

“We call on people to think about whether they need to travel overseas at this time. We should be cautious about going abroad in light of the ongoing risk of coronavirus and the presence of variants of concern in many countries. “My clear message to everyone is make Wales your destination of choice this year.”

Further information on international travel

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Last updated.

Some roads in Wales to revert back to 30mph after half a million call for 20mph speed limit to end

Introduced under former first minister Mark Drakeford, the Welsh government said a 20mph speed limit will save lives and help build "safer communities" by reducing the number of collisions.

By Dylan Donnelly, news reporter

Saturday 20 April 2024 11:13, UK

Some roads in Wales are set to go back to 30mph after nearly half a million people called for an end to the national 20mph speed limit.

Ken Skates, the Welsh government's new transport minister, said "there will be a change" to legislation introduced in September which changed the speed limit on nearly all roads from 30mph to 20mph.

Introduced under former first minister Mark Drakeford , the Welsh government said the reduced speed limit would save lives and help build "safer communities" by reducing the number of collisions.

A petition calling for the removal of the 20mph limit reached 469,571 signatures by 13 March - hundreds of thousands more than the 10,000 required for a petition to be considered for a debate.

Speaking to North Wales Live, the Labour MP said there is "generally universal support" for the speed limit being in place outside of schools, housing estates and hospitals, but acknowledged that many have said "routes that shouldn't have been included were".

Read more: Why did the default speed limit change? Over half of journeys break limit - report Goats made famous in lockdown killed in crash

"We've put our hands up to say, 'the guidance has to be corrected'," he added.

"This will enable councils to revert back those routes that are not appropriate. Whether the change will be radical will largely depend on what people want."

He added he will share more details in the Senedd on Tuesday, saying "we are working to do this as swiftly as we possibly can," and acknowledged adjusting the speed limits will be costly but not "anywhere near the cost of the rollout".

Mr Skates then said: "It is about making sure the application is consistent and we bring back a good degree of unity, whereas currently there is discord."

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It comes after a road sign showing a 20mph limit was among seven "removed illegally" in a Welsh village , which has led to "serious road safety concerns".

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Lee Waters, the minister behind the rollout, also said he would be stepping down and would delete his profile on social media platform X due to abuse in March.

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Wales to change guidance on 20mph speed limits, transport minister says

Ken Skates says local communities will decide which limits are rescinded after 500,000 people sign petition against them

Wales’s transport minister has said the government will “correct” its guidance on the introduction of 20mph speed limits in built-up areas.

The announcement comes after half a million people signed a petition against the measure.

In an interview with North Wales Live, Ken Skates said in many areas “routes that shouldn’t have been included, were”.

He said he wanted decisions on the speed limit to be left to local communities rather than the government imposing them.

“There will be change that addresses the concerns that a lot of people, including half a million people who signed the petition, raised on a consistent basis,” he said.

“These are: that there is generally universal support for 20mph being targeted in areas where there are schools, built-up areas like housing estates, and outside hospitals and so-forth, but in many areas routes that shouldn’t have been included, were.

“We’ve put our hands up to say: the guidance has to be corrected.

“This will enable councils to revert back those routes that are not appropriate. Whether the change will be radical will largely depend on what people want.”

Skates, who was appointed transport minister last month by the first minister, Vaughan Gething, in his first cabinet, said the government would listen to communities and implement changes.

“I want communities to own speed-limit decisions rather than having them imposed upon them,” he said.

“That is why this national programme of listening is going to be so important. We want to ease out what it is that people in their communities actually want to see happen, then implement the change according to the citizens’ voice.

“I imagine in some parts of Wales we will see relatively few changes and in others we will see quite a lot more, but we won’t know the degree of the change until we have completed that exercise, listening to people and taking stock of the routes people would like to see return to 30mph.”

The policy was introduced in September under the previous first minister, Mark Drakeford, with a promise that lower speed limits would lead to fewer collisions and people injured.

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There has been fierce opposition from the Conservatives in the Senedd. The shadow transport minister, Natasha Asghar, described it as a “monumental waste of time and resources”.

Drakeford has conceded that more could have been done to prepare the ground for the policy, but said he stood by it.

Gething said the government had got some of the messaging wrong , but that he wanted it to work.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “The cabinet secretary has been clear that his immediate priority on 20mph is to listen. To support this, in the weeks ahead he will be engaging with elected representatives, businesses and communities across Wales.”

Skates will address the issue in a statement on Tuesday.

The Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said: “Over six months have passed since Plaid Cymru tabled a Senedd amendment, and won the vote, gaining a commitment from Welsh government to review the impact of new limits and to empower local authorities to make further exemptions.

“I support the principle of widespread 20mph zones, but it’s clear that it was implemented very poorly and inconsistently, with too many roads changing to 20mph in places where it felt unreasonable.

“Welsh government must push ahead now and sort it out, working with local authorities and communities to ensure that limits are properly reviewed, and unreasonable 20mphs are removed.”

• Welsh politics
• Transport policy
• Road transport

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Warning to contact lens and glasses wearers taking flights this summer

Flights can pose problems for some people when it comes to their eyes

• 06:00, 21 APR 2024

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As frequent flyers can attest, air travel comes with its share of discomforts, from cramped seats to long security lines. But for contact lens and glasses wearers, the challenges of flying extend beyond having no legroom or overhead bin space.

Ahead of the busiest times of year for UK travellers getting away, eye experts have outlined what you need to know if you’re flying with glasses or contacts this summer. Experts at Clearly have outlined the potential risks faced by contact lens and glasses wearers during flights and explored remedies to mitigate these challenges.

Risks of flying if you wear glasses or contacts

Dry cabin air

One of the most common complaints among air travellers is the dryness of cabin air. The low humidity levels in aeroplane cabins can lead to the evaporation of tears, causing discomfort and irritation for contact lens wearers.

A spokesperson for Clearly said: "Additionally, dry eyes can exacerbate existing vision problems and make wearing glasses uncomfortable."

Pressure changes

As an aircraft ascends or descends, changes in air pressure can affect the eyes and sinuses. Contact lens wearers may experience discomfort or even pain due to pressure buildup behind the lenses. Glasses wearers may also notice changes in vision or discomfort as their frames press against their temples or noses.

Increased risk of eye infections

The confined space and recirculated air of an aeroplane cabin, coupled with the presence of airborne pathogens from your fellow passengers, can increase the risk of eye infections for contact lens wearers. The Clearly spokesperson said: "Extended use of contact lenses during flights, combined with reduced access to proper hygiene facilities, can create an environment conducive to bacterial or fungal growth."

Tips for a comfortable flight

Stay hydrated inside and out

Maintaining adequate hydration is crucial for combating dry cabin air. Drink plenty of water before and during the flight to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. The spokesperson said: "Use lubricating eye drops approved for contact lens wearers to alleviate dryness."

Limit your contact lens wear

Whenever possible, minimise the time you’re wearing your contact lenses during flights. Consider wearing glasses instead, especially for long-haul journeys, to reduce the risk of dryness and discomfort. If wearing contacts, follow proper hygiene practices and consider carrying a spare pair of lenses and a lens case.

Protect your eyes

Wear sunglasses with UV protection when exposed to sunlight during flight or while navigating airports. UV radiation from the sun can still reach your eyes through aeroplane windows, potentially causing damage or discomfort.

Keep it hygienic

The spokesperson said: "If you choose to wear contact lenses during flights, prioritise hygiene to reduce your risk of eye infections. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling lenses, and avoid touching your eyes or lenses with unclean hands."

Consider bringing along a travel-sized bottle of contact lens solution for cleaning and disinfecting lenses mid-flight.

Make yourself comfortable

If you wear glasses, opt for lightweight and comfortable frames that won't dig into your skin or cause pressure points during long flights. Adjust the fit of your glasses to ensure they sit comfortably on your nose and ears, and consider getting an anti-reflective coating to reduce the glare from cabin lights.

Take regular breaks

Whether wearing contacts or glasses, take regular breaks during long flights to rest your eyes and alleviate strain. Close your eyes periodically, blink frequently, and perform simple eye exercises to promote circulation and moisture retention.

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