Police and council officers will be conducting high visibility patrols in Pembrokeshire over the Easter weekend to ensure motorists are only making essential journeys.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers will work alongside Pembrokeshire County Council staff to carry out checks and re-enforce the message to 'stay home, save lives'.

Teams will be stationed at major and alternative routes to ensure compliance with the lockdown rules. Mobile patrols will also be in operation.

Under current legislation and Government rules, people should not be leaving their primary residence without reasonable excuse and should not be travelling to second homes and holiday accommodation in the county.

All holiday accommodation including holiday sites; camping sites; hotels; bed and breakfast accommodation; holiday apartments; hostels and boarding houses must remain closed until further notice unless covered under very specific exemptions.

Over the Easter weekend council public protection team members will be visiting accommodation providers to monitor and assess compliance with the legislation.

Enforcement action may be considered where it is necessary and proportionate.

Residents who wish to report the commercial use of holiday accommodation in contradiction of the current restrictions over the Easter weekend can do so by calling 01437 771891.

Pembrokeshire County Council leader councillor David Simpson, said: “During this unprecedented time, we ask you not to visit Pembrokeshire.

“Pembrokeshire is a beautiful place and it will still be here awaiting your visit once this pandemic is over.

“Our officers, alongside police colleagues, will be working hard to ensure the rules that are there to keep us all safe are being followed.”

Dyfed-Powys Police Superintendent Ross Evans said: “I am grateful to our local authority partners for supporting us with this excellent joint initiative. This will increase our ability to support our amazing front line NHS colleagues.

“Our staff have been working extremely hard to tackle this invisible threat primarily through stopping and engaging with huge numbers of drivers.

“The vast majority have been key workers or people on legitimate journeys and I thank them for their understanding and support.

“We recognise that this Easter period will be a pivotal challenge for our County and in response we are putting extra resources in place across the bank holiday period. Saving lives will always be our priority”.

Further coronavirus information is available from Dyfed-Powys Police at dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/newsroom/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19-information/ and Pembrokeshire County Council at pembrokeshire.gov.uk/advice-on-the-coronavirus