Car park at Rest Bay to reopen

The car park at Rest Bay in Porthcawl will reopen on Tuesday 16 March.

It was closed earlier in the year after large groups of drivers ignored pandemic restrictions requiring people to stay at home as much as possible, and not to travel to go for a walk or to exercise.

With alert level four restrictions still in place across Wales, Bridgend County Borough Council is reminding people that Welsh Government has advised people to ‘stay local’ using a five-mile radius as a general rule of thumb.

If coronavirus cases continue to fall, the ‘stay local’ rule will be reviewed along with the current alert level.

We will be monitoring the car park carefully to make sure that it is used responsibly and safely.

Coronavirus has not gone away, and we must not let our guard down. Residents of Bridgend County Borough should continue to stay local while remaining alert, and should take precautions to keep themselves, their family, friends, neighbours and colleagues safe from infection.

Council Leader Huw David

The ‘stay local’ rule is expected to remain in place until 27 March. It will mean that four people from two households can meet outdoors, including in gardens, and that outdoor sports facilities, including tennis courts and golf courses, can reopen.

Indoor care home visits can restart for single designated visitors, but please check with care homes as individual circumstances may differ depending upon conditions at each home.

Hairdressers and barbers can now re-open for appointments, and all primary pupils and those in years 10 and 12 have returned to school along with students in exam years and those doing similar qualifications in colleges.

From 22 March, non-essential retail, such as garden centres, will begin to re-open. This will begin with shops that are currently open being able to sell non-essential items once more.

From 27 March, the ‘stay local’ message will end and people will be able to travel anywhere in Wales. Self-contained accommodation and libraries can re-open, and organised children’s outdoor activities will be able to restart.

From 12 April, all pupils will return to school after the Easter break, and it is anticipated that all shops and close-contact services, such as beauty salons, should also be able to open.

If the public health situation continues to improve, Welsh Government anticipates that throughout spring, further measures will be relaxed at each three-week review, and hopes remain high that household bubbles can be extended and outdoor hospitality can reopen in April.