Brits urged to stay away from beauty spots after Boris Johnson allows travel for unlimited exercise in new lockdown plan – The Sun
TOURIST chiefs warn Brits to stay away from popular beauty spots after the Government gave the green light for travel for unlimited exercise yesterday.
Authorities from travel hotspots across the UK urged people not to flood their beaches, lakes and villages, while Brighton council told would-be tourists to just "stay away".
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Cornwall, Cumbria and the Cotswolds were among some of the regions which said they wouldn't be welcoming tourists despite the lockdown easing.
Boris Johnson outlined his "first sketch of a roadmap" for the gradual lifting of coronavirus lockdown measures on Sunday night.
From Wednesday, the PM said people would be allowed to drive to the countryside and beaches, as long as they maintain a safe social distance from others.
It's huge news for Brits who will be able to travel to exercise from Wednesday – no matter how far.
It will mean Brits can take day trips to the beach, parks and lakes that are not nearby.
But they must stay within England and cannot cross the border into Wales or Scotland.
Nicola Sturgeon warned anyone crossing over could face arrest, too.
But shortly after the address, Cumbria's tourism board tweeted: "We are shocked by the timing and short notice of tonight's announcement.
"We are awaiting further details but the safety of residents must come first.
"For now, tourism businesses in Cumbria remain closed and we urge everyone to continue to #StayHome."
'STAY AWAY'
Jim Walker, chairman of Cumbria Tourism, told Sky News: "We have been very surprised by Prime Minister Johnson's statement regarding the easing of travel restrictions.
"We believe this could have severe implications for Cumbria, for our NHS and for those who live in the county.
"Cumbria has one of the highest infection rates for coronavirus in the UK.
"The arrival of many day visitors could easily compromise all the really good work that has been done to date to manage the current situation.
"We are therefore continuing to promote the message that Cumbria is closed to visitors, although we really look forward to the time that our businesses will reopen and we can welcome people back to our beautiful county."
Cotswolds Tourism also warned: "We certainly won't be encouraging anyone to visit the Cotswolds before hospitality businesses are open to welcome them."
The tourism body added: "We assume that the prime minister meant (and the briefings will make clear) that people are free to enjoy any parks and beaches near to them: where social distancing should be possible.
"However, with hospitality businesses closed until at least July – along with many car parks and public toilets – it is hard to see how or why anyone could/should travel far from home."
At this time we ask you to stay away, and in the comfort of your own home, plan a future break to Cornwall when it is safe to do so.
Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, echoed similar thought, telling the broadcaster: "We do not believe the government announcement means carte blanche – total freedom – for anyone travelling from outside the county for a day visit.
"There is nowhere to stay. There are very limited places to eat, other than takeaways.
"We do not believe that this is staying alert – to undertake a long, unnecessary journey.
"At this time we ask you to stay away, and in the comfort of your own home, plan a future break to Cornwall when it is safe to do so.
"The bottom line though is that we don't want people turning up in Cornwall on Wednesday."
Nancy Platts, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "We want a slow, steady and safe progression towards lockdown lifting."
The council released a statement, saying: "We want to make sure we are stepping forward in a measured way. We know restrictions will need to stay in place for a long time to come.
The shops and attractions are still closed and we want people who do not live in Brighton and Hove to stay away.
"We want the restrictions to be lifted carefully in a positive direction. Our priority is to keep people who live in the city safe. One concern is around how residents can maintain physical distancing in our busy city if we have an influx of visitors.
"The Prime Minister has said that hospitality and leisure businesses are not likely to open before July. The shops and attractions are still closed and we want people who do not live in Brighton and Hove to stay away."
James Mason, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "In March we asked people to stay away from our many beauty spots – coastline and countryside – to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
"We welcome the road map to recovery but with caution. Please respect that these communities are not yet able to cope with tourism."
The Forestry Commission also urged people to stay at home and only travel to woods if they live nearby and are able to walk there.
A spokesman told MailOnline: "Although this is great news and we look forward to welcoming visitors back to the nation's forests as soon as we can, our priority is to keep people safe.
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"Please continue to avoid making unnecessary journeys and do not travel to the nation's forests. Local people can still walk and cycle to our forests but must follow government rules on social distancing".
South Lakes police took to Twitter and told would-be travellers to "take a long hard look" at their conscious before heading to the Lake District.
Sharing a map which showed the North West as the worst affected area of the UK, they said: "Before considering travelling to #Cumbria #LakeDistrict please grab a brew, examine this map, and take a long hard look at your own conscience.
"We urge you to use common sense and to continue to exercise close to your own home. We need to break the cycle of infection #lockdown"
Travelling to Wales and Scotland for leisure trips is still not allowed, with the 'stay home' message remaining in place outside of England.
LIFE OUTSIDE LOCKDOWN
Ministers recently revealed their strategy for exiting the coronavirus lockdown which has kept much of the country indoors for the past 49 days.
Brits are now able to go on walks in the countryside, sunbathe outside, and travel longer distances if they stay two metres apart from those from other households.
Garden centres, golf clubs and tennis courts are also readying to reopen this week – provided social distancing is enforced.
The National Trust also confirmed today that officials are seeing if they are able to reopen any of their closed sites, but warned there were no immediate plans.
Brits will be able to travel to exercise from Wednesday – no matter how far.
It will mean Brits can take day trips to the beach, parks and lakes that are not nearby.
But they must stay within England and cannot cross the border into Wales or Scotland.
Nicola Sturgeon warned anyone crossing over could face arrest, too.
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