Roll out the welcome mat!

Boris’s plea to tourist areas as he gives the green light to staycations

BORIS Johnson yesterday urged the country’s holiday areas to ‘roll out the welcome mat’ as he announced that hotels will be able to open from July 4.

The Prime Minister said people will also be able to stay overnight in bed and breakfasts and holiday cottages – as long as shared facilities such as bathrooms are kept clean.

And campsites and caravan parks will be able to open as the Government urges people to visit England’s beauty spots for staycations.

New guidance says self- catering holiday homes can open for business on July 4 for the first time since lockdown. People will also be allowed to visit their second homes.

However, youth hostels must remain shut because guests from different households would have to share dormitories.

Downing Street said people will be able to travel by train or bus to reach their holiday destination.

Mr Johnson hit out at those who have urged people not to travel to holiday areas, saying they should not be putting up ‘ not welcome here’ signs.

Last month a number of Cornish MPs said they supported calls for people to stay away from the county while the virus was at its height.

Addressing MPs, Mr Johnson said: ‘One thing that I would say, respectfully, to all those who represent tourist areas of this country, is that now is perhaps the time to send out a welcoming signal to those from other parts of our country and to roll out the welcome mat, rather than the “Not welcome here” sign.’

Allowing hotels in England to reopen is a ‘huge relief’, according to a leading tourism body.

Joss Croft, chief executive of UKinbound, said: ‘ Reducing social distancing from two metres to one will also ensure that many more businesses will be able to viably reopen at the start of next month.’

VisitEngland director Patricia Yates said the announcement was ‘great news for England’s tourism industry and the millions of jobs and local economies that depend on it’. Latest coronavirus video news, views and expert advice at mailplus.co.uk/coronavirus