People living in Wales have been asked not to go on overseas holidays for at least the next three weeks, despite a lifting of the non-essential travel ban from Monday.

They have been told that they should travel only for ‘essential reasons’ to avoid bringing coronavirus back into the country.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, First Minister Mark Drakeford admitted the travel advice was not a rule and it will no longer be illegal to travel from Monday.

He acknowledged that most Welsh holidaymakers will travel from airports in England, including Bristol, Manchester and London.

“Once those airports are open and travel across the UK is allowed, then people from Wales will be able to travel,” he said.

Wales will adopt the risk-based traffic light system for travel used by England and Scotland, with countries classified as green, amber and red. Those returning from amber and red countries will  have to quarantine and there will be additional testing in place, added Mr Drakeford.

Meanwhile, UK tour operators are still uncertain whether they can relaunch holidays next week, even to countries on the green list.

Portugal, the only major holiday destination on the green list, has yet to confirm it will allow British visitors from Monday when the first UK holiday flights are due to arrive in Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Funchal.