https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...l-visitors-go-home-parks-beauty-spots-packed/
A backlash against people ignoring social distancing saw people in rural communities telling visitors to "go home" on Sunday because parks and beauty spots were packed with visitors.
Some tourist destinations and National Parks saw their busiest ever days over the weekend as people ignored the advice to stay two metres apart to enjoy the sunshine.
The National Trust, the Royal Horticultural Society and a London council were among those that announced that they were to close all their venues as they could not guarantee the safety after visitor numbers spiked.
The Mother's Day influx into parks and beaches even led to tourism boards asking people to stay away, with Visit Wales putting out the message: “Visit Wales. Later.”
There are concerns that an increase in people travelling into rural communities, which already have a high proportion of elderly residents, will put unsustainable pressure on local health and social care services and shops.
Some rural communities have warned that people are attempting to isolate themselves in remote areas amid petitions for caravan parks to be closed.
Judy Murray, mother of tennis stars Andy and Jamie Murray, tweeted a simple message to "those relocating to the countryside" - a picture of a car and trailer with "Go home idiots" and "Covid-19" painted on the side.
Other social media users shared pictures and videos of packed parks and car parks as they described people as “covidiots”
Boris Johnson said that the Government would be thinking "very actively" in the next 24 hours about taking further measures to prevent social distancing.
He told a press conference on Sunday that "I don't want to do that" as it is "so important" that people are able to go out, but said that freedom "can only really be preserved if everybody acts responsibly and conforms with those principles of staying apart from one another and social distancing".
The Prime Minister added that "if people can't make use of parks and playgrounds in a way that observes 2 metre rule then we're going to have to look at further measures"
The National Trust said on Sunday that they would close all parks, gardens, houses, shops and cafes as well as car parks for countryside and coastal locations because of high demand.
Director-general Hilary McGrady said the trust would be taking measures to ensure that people do not lose their connection with nature, and that the sites of natural beauty remain open "virtually".
Snowdonia National Park Authority said its area "experienced its busiest ever visitor day in living memory" on Saturday, with so many people that it was “impossible to maintain effective social distancing”.
Chatsworth House, Whipsnade Zoo and the Yorkshire Wildlife Park also announced that it would be closing its doors.
Some DIY stores and garden centres reported being busier than Bank Holiday weekends when visitor numbers are normally at their peak.
Britain is not the first country to see a rush to beauty spots, with visitor destinations across the world being overwhelmed. The Australian Government this weekend closed Bondi Beach in Sydney because of overcrowding.
But it was not just rural areas and beauty spots that experienced high numbers of visitors.
Londoners were criticised for attending “packed” markets including in Victoria Park and the famous flower market on Colombia road.
Hammersmith and Fulham council announced that as of 7pm last night (SUN) all the parks would be closed in the borough until further notice, adding: “Please stay home, save lives.”
The Royal Parks closed their parks on the outskirts of London to all traffic and all their remaining takeway cafes and kiosks as “people are not adhering to social distancing guidelines”.
A spokesman warned that they were keeping the situation under review and if the rules continue to be ignored “we will have no choice but to consider closing the parks”.
Walkers in crowds on Pen y Fan, South Wales Credit: Gareth Everett
Many are concerned that with London the worst hit and with the schools shut the situation in the countryside will get worse unless action is taken.
Kate Forbes, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said that there “has been an influx of campervans and traffic with people living in cities to what they think is self-isolation. But this is not a wildness this is a place where people live.”
George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, tweeted: “To those people with 2nd homes in Norfolk: PLS DONT flee London to come to Norfolk” adding that they risked “spreading the virus”.
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday moved to stem a flood of people into the Highlands trying to escape the coronavirus by barring them taking ferries to the islands and telling all accommodation providers to stop accepting visitors.
The First Minister said all hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and self-catering providers should only be housing staff and essential workers, amid fears local rural hospitals could collapse under the pressure.
First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford also warned: "Social distancing includes avoiding all but essential travel and if people don't follow this advice we will have no choice but to use powers to enforce it.
A backlash against people ignoring social distancing saw people in rural communities telling visitors to "go home" on Sunday because parks and beauty spots were packed with visitors.
Some tourist destinations and National Parks saw their busiest ever days over the weekend as people ignored the advice to stay two metres apart to enjoy the sunshine.
The National Trust, the Royal Horticultural Society and a London council were among those that announced that they were to close all their venues as they could not guarantee the safety after visitor numbers spiked.
The Mother's Day influx into parks and beaches even led to tourism boards asking people to stay away, with Visit Wales putting out the message: “Visit Wales. Later.”
There are concerns that an increase in people travelling into rural communities, which already have a high proportion of elderly residents, will put unsustainable pressure on local health and social care services and shops.
Some rural communities have warned that people are attempting to isolate themselves in remote areas amid petitions for caravan parks to be closed.
Judy Murray, mother of tennis stars Andy and Jamie Murray, tweeted a simple message to "those relocating to the countryside" - a picture of a car and trailer with "Go home idiots" and "Covid-19" painted on the side.
Other social media users shared pictures and videos of packed parks and car parks as they described people as “covidiots”
Boris Johnson said that the Government would be thinking "very actively" in the next 24 hours about taking further measures to prevent social distancing.
He told a press conference on Sunday that "I don't want to do that" as it is "so important" that people are able to go out, but said that freedom "can only really be preserved if everybody acts responsibly and conforms with those principles of staying apart from one another and social distancing".
The Prime Minister added that "if people can't make use of parks and playgrounds in a way that observes 2 metre rule then we're going to have to look at further measures"
The National Trust said on Sunday that they would close all parks, gardens, houses, shops and cafes as well as car parks for countryside and coastal locations because of high demand.
Director-general Hilary McGrady said the trust would be taking measures to ensure that people do not lose their connection with nature, and that the sites of natural beauty remain open "virtually".
Snowdonia National Park Authority said its area "experienced its busiest ever visitor day in living memory" on Saturday, with so many people that it was “impossible to maintain effective social distancing”.
Chatsworth House, Whipsnade Zoo and the Yorkshire Wildlife Park also announced that it would be closing its doors.
Some DIY stores and garden centres reported being busier than Bank Holiday weekends when visitor numbers are normally at their peak.
Britain is not the first country to see a rush to beauty spots, with visitor destinations across the world being overwhelmed. The Australian Government this weekend closed Bondi Beach in Sydney because of overcrowding.
But it was not just rural areas and beauty spots that experienced high numbers of visitors.
Londoners were criticised for attending “packed” markets including in Victoria Park and the famous flower market on Colombia road.
Hammersmith and Fulham council announced that as of 7pm last night (SUN) all the parks would be closed in the borough until further notice, adding: “Please stay home, save lives.”
The Royal Parks closed their parks on the outskirts of London to all traffic and all their remaining takeway cafes and kiosks as “people are not adhering to social distancing guidelines”.
A spokesman warned that they were keeping the situation under review and if the rules continue to be ignored “we will have no choice but to consider closing the parks”.
Walkers in crowds on Pen y Fan, South Wales Credit: Gareth Everett
Many are concerned that with London the worst hit and with the schools shut the situation in the countryside will get worse unless action is taken.
Kate Forbes, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said that there “has been an influx of campervans and traffic with people living in cities to what they think is self-isolation. But this is not a wildness this is a place where people live.”
George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, tweeted: “To those people with 2nd homes in Norfolk: PLS DONT flee London to come to Norfolk” adding that they risked “spreading the virus”.
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday moved to stem a flood of people into the Highlands trying to escape the coronavirus by barring them taking ferries to the islands and telling all accommodation providers to stop accepting visitors.
The First Minister said all hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and self-catering providers should only be housing staff and essential workers, amid fears local rural hospitals could collapse under the pressure.
First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford also warned: "Social distancing includes avoiding all but essential travel and if people don't follow this advice we will have no choice but to use powers to enforce it.
