Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
This afternoon, I had a meeting with the First Ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Secretary of State for Transport to discuss worrying information about the new variant strain of coronavirus in Brazil. This follows the earlier discovery of a mutated strain of the virus in South Africa.
As a result of that meeting, I can confirm we will be amending the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Restrictions) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations to suspend travel corridors, in line with similar action being taken in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to help prevent these new mutated strains of the virus from entering the UK.
These changes will come into effect at 4am on Monday 18 January until at least 15 February, but are likely be in effect for longer.
They mean that, for most international travellers, they will need to complete a pre-departure test and quarantine for 10 days on their return to Wales to ensure they have not brought coronavirus home with them.
We will also be shortening the list of people who are exempt from these requirements, in line with changes being made in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland..
I am pleased to have been able to work on a four-nation basis to agree these changes.