Welsh Government publish support for Gypsies and Travellers during the coronavirus crisis

The Welsh Government has published guidance telling councils not to evict Traveller camps during the coronavirus crisis and should instead provide services and support.

In the guidance published on Monday, the Welsh Government said that councils should not evict unauthorised encampments unless there were “immediate and substantial risks to public safety arising from continued occupation”.

“If possible, sanitation in the form of additional toilets and washing facilities should be provided,” the guidance continues. 

The Welsh Government also raised concerns about Gypsies and Travellers living on authorised private and public sites.

It said that councils should not evict anyone living on those sites and should instead support them with information and advice.

Councils should work to minimise the spread of infection – such as providing additional toilets or sanitation, providing gloves for use in certain communal areas or making sure that self-isolating residents can access food, fuel, medicines and cleaning products, the Welsh Government said.

Gypsy and Traveller campaigners welcomed the move by the Welsh Government, which, they said, compared favourably with the coronavirus guidance for Travellers issued by the English Government.

The Welsh Government guidance for councils engaging with Gypsies and Travellers can be found here.

TT News

(Picture: Kings Meadow local authority Traveller site in Brecon, Wales)