Call to close all beaches and caravan parks throughout county
A Wexford TD has called for the temporary closure of all beaches and caravan parks in the county as Wexford County Council warns that if large volumes of people continue flocking to outdoor areas during the coronavirus crisis, it will be forced to impose measures to limit the activity, to protect public health.
Seaside resorts, beauty spots and popular walking areas throughout the county, have been besieged with visitors, creating traffic problems and leading to fears that social distancing rules are being flouted.
It has prompted the Fianna Fail TD James Browne to call for the temporary closure of County Council beaches, caravan parks and some public amenities.
Having received reports of people ignoring social distancing advice, the Wexford TD said his view is that steps must be taken to put an end to the behaviour.
‘Last weekend a large number of people were on the move. Many of these congregated at County Wexford’s beaches, caravan parks and other public amenities. Some came from outside Wexford as if they were on a holiday. This is unacceptable. Wexford is not a safe haven from the virus’ said Deputy Browne.
‘When people don’t adhere to social distancing, they show a lack of respect for others while exposing local communities.
‘It is clear that a significant minority are not listening or if they are they do not care.
This has understandably caused much concern and anxiety’, he said.
‘ This is not a holiday and it is not an excuse for a week away down to Wexford. It is a public health emergency and everyone must play their part. Those who have traveled to Wexford from outside of the County for a ‘ break’ should be told to return to their homes.
Our GP services are already over stretched. I’ve written to Wexford County Council, HSE and Government Ministers calling for these temporary closures’, the TD said.
Meanwhile Wexford County Council Communications Officer David Minogue said: ‘ The requirement to social distance is an absolute necessity and has to be observed, to protect the individual’s own life, the lives of their loved ones and the lives of everyone they come into contact with’.
‘We appreciate that many people are not working and are at home and they have more time for recreation and relaxation but they can do that and still observe the requirements’, he said.
‘If we find that the public are not observing the rules about social distancing, we may have to introduce measures to support the central message from government on the requirement’.
‘We are reviewing the situation at the moment. We are very concerned about the volume of people who are not observing the rules.’
‘We are concerned about the the unreasonable numbers of people congregating in open spaces’, said the Communications Officer.
‘My message would be that if you go out to an amenity and you find that it’s really packed, go back to your car and go somewhere else.
‘With 220 kilometres of fantastic beach in Wexford, that can’t be too difficult’.
Mr. Minogue said people don’t have to go to beaches and parks and he asked them to consider the ‘footpath system’ in lit-up urban areas as an alternative place to walk in the fresh air.
‘We are saying that you can still leave your home but you must exercise a sense of personal and public responsibility.’
‘I think definitely if we have a continuation of the volume of people attending open spaces, we will absolutely have to review our arrangements in relation to the free, open access that they have at the moment.’
‘In fact, the decision may be taken out of our hands if this volume continues, you may see a central decision being made to restrict access’.
The Council spokesman said the local authority would prefer not to impose crowd-limiting measures and wants people to enjoy the county’s amenities.
He appealed to everyone to take responsibility and exercise common sense and ‘cop-on.’
‘If not, clearly there is a risk to the health of the public and steps may have to be taken to improve the situation.’
He encouraged people to visit beaches and open spaces at less popular times.
‘People want to go outdoors, it’s completely understandable, we get that. But maybe try and change the times that you go.’
The Council is also urging motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to take greater care on the roads due to the increase in traffic.
‘Given the volume of people now on the public roads and footpaths and in particular, the number of cyclists, we would advise people to be conscious of safety at all times.The numbers out there on our public roads have drastically increased’, said Mr. Minogue.