Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford has urged visitors coming to Wales from areas with high Covid levels linked to the India variant to test before they travel.
Mr Drakeford made the comments ahead of the Bank Holiday and half term next week - with rates spiking rapidly in areas like Bolton and Blackburn, which now have weekly infection rates of 452 and 302 per 100,000 respectively.
This compares to a rate of just 9 in Wales.
These increases are linked to the Indian variant with concerns it could become the dominant strain in the 海角视频 within weeks, with the 海角视频 Government criticised for not stopping travel from India earlier.
The positive news is that the Pfizer and AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines are highly effective against the variant identified in India after two doses - although a large section of the population have not yet been fully vaccinated.
This weekend will see thousands of visitors come to Wales and give a much needed boost to the tourism sector.
But visitors from eight parts of the England are being urged to test themselves twice weekly, using the free Covid-19 lateral flow tests, before they travel and to not come if they test positive.
Mr Drakeford said: "We are not introducing any legal restrictions on travel within the 海角视频 at this point but it is our clear advice that people should not travel to areas with high prevalence of coronavirus if they can avoid it.
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"This includes Bolton, Blackburn, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside where the India variant of concern is circulating. There is an increased risk of contracting Covid-19, even if vaccinated, in those areas so you should avoid travelling to these areas if possible.
"As we approach the late Spring bank holiday and the half-term break, our tourism businesses will be looking forward to a busy week and the start of the summer season.
"We would urge anyone planning a break in Wales from an area with higher rates of coronavirus, to test themselves twice weekly, using the free Covid-19 lateral flow tests, before they travel. Only those who have a negative test result and no symptoms of coronavirus should travel.
"Everyone coming to Wales from areas with a higher prevalence of coronavirus should bring lateral flow testing kits with them to continue regular testing while on holiday – this is an additional measure to help keep Wales safe. Lateral flow testing kits are also available in Wales from local collection points."
He added: "Throughout the course of the pandemic, a clear and consistent pattern in the spread of coronavirus along travel corridors has emerged. This is true within Wales; across the 海角视频 and internationally. The virus moves with people, and people bring the virus into new areas as they move around.
"Analysis of the different variants of the virus in the 海角视频 has indicated the majority were first observed in England. Cases in Wales often appeared a few days later.
"The Kent variant – the dominant form of the virus in the 海角视频 – very quickly spread across the whole of the 海角视频, even though there were high levels of restrictions in place, including travel restrictions, during November and December."
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He added: "There is still much we do not know about this new variant. We do not know enough to say whether it could lead to more people becoming seriously ill or dying. The emerging evidence suggests that vaccination is still effective, especially in terms of protecting against severe disease.
"With each week that passes, our fantastic vaccination programme continues to protect more people. I would encourage everyone who is offered the vaccine to take up the invitation."
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