We are receiving a number of enquiries from our members regarding larger group accommodation bookings. So far the advice we have received is as follows:
- Your visitors (not accommodation owners) are responsible for compliance with the Welsh regulations that apply at the time of their visit.
- Regulations in Wales relating to extended households are part of the Regulations in Wales and enforceable in law.
- We would recommend that the party making the booking should be aware of their responsibility regarding the regulations that apply in Wales. If you use a booking agency, we would expect that your booking agency be aware of the current regulations in Wales and, in terms of best practice, advise visitors accordingly.
- As the owner of the business, you should have contact details of all parties staying in your property to assist with track and trace requirements and you could consider asking the individual making the booking to confirm (and documenting) that they are aware of the Regulations in Wales relating to extended households.
Message from Dyfed-Powys Police:
"Should a property be occupied by more than two ‘extended’ families, then this would technically constitute as a ‘public gathering’ which would be dealt with by the police. Just as if this had occurred in a public location, this would likely be in the form of fines and a request to disperse. This would place the onus on the individuals who are occupying the property. A business owner may not always know if visitors comprise of multiple families when accommodation is being booked.
It would be helpful to remind individuals at the booking stage of the current restrictions in Wales and that they could be challenged by police and fined should they be found to be not adhering to the guidance."
