People have spoken of their shock at the crowds of people who ignored Coronavirus safety advice as they turned up to enjoy the sunshine in Southport over the weekend.
It came as it was revealed today that the number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for Coronavirus rose by 48 in the past 24 hours to 281 – including one victim aged just 18 years old.
Boris Johnson told British public tonight that they must keep at least six feet apart even when they are outside as he threatened to close parks and open spaces if people failed to comply.
As Southport enjoyed warm weather and blue skies on Mother’s Day large numbers of visitors flocked to the seafront area, leading to concerns among passers-by.
One local resident said: “Am I missing something? I’m sure this isn’t social distancing? We did a drive by wave saying Happy Mother’s Day to my mum whilst the Sunday strollers are lapping up the sea air and sunshine!”
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Kim Butler told Stand Up For Southport: “So while the residents of the town lock themselves away (hopefully), all the day trippers come out to play! Reading reports that the usual roads to be full on a sunny bank holiday are rammed full today, hence saying it’s day trippers, even though it’s not a bank holiday and the country is meant to be locking themselves down!”
Martin Woods told Stand Up For Southport: “I just drove along Southport seafront and it is heaving with people. The car park along Marine Lake is full, there’s a queue around the block for KFC and other food outlets, it’s like a summer Sunday. There’s even an ice cream van there with parents standing there as the ice cream man hands their kids the cone and takes the cash.
“This is the reason we can’t have nice things and freedom. The government gets no response from asking people to be sensible so we will end up being locked in because we’re too stupid to comply.”