‘WEAR MASK AT THE BEACH’
DOCTOR’S WARNING TO STAY SAFE AND KEEP DISTANCE FROM OTHERS AS WALES HEADS FOR COAST TO ENJOY WEEKEND SUNSHINE
WITH temperatures set to soar for a second day across Wales today a doctor is urging people to wear masks if they go to the beach and socially distance or face possible further lockdowns.
British Transport Police and Transport for Wales are also asking people not to take trains unless it’s for essential travel, saying they had noticed a rise in “recreational” journeys.
With most of Wales expected to bask in sunshine and temperatures predicted to reach 30°C (86F) in some places this weekend thousands of visitors are expected to head for the coast and countryside to make the most of the scorching weather.
Dr Raja Biswas, consultant physician at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, who helped manage and worked on the frontline on dedicated Covid-19 wards, stressed it is important people get out and about, but urged them to do so sensibly.
That includes wearing a mask on beaches and keeping two metres apart.
If people continue to crowd together, even outside in the sunshine, Dr Biswas, who himself caught Covid-19 while working, fears a possible second wave and local lockdowns like those recently imposed in Aberdeen and north-west England.
“If local outbreaks become too great they become a second wave,” he told the Echo yesterday.
“I fear there could be another lockdown unless we are more sensible.
“I’m not saying don’t go to the beach, people need to enjoy themselves, but modify it. Wear a mask, socially distance. If the beach is crowded be sensible. There is a higher risk of infection if it’s crowded.
“Last weekend I went to Porthcawl and the beaches here are not as crowded as in England, which is good, but I could see no one wearing a mask or socially distancing on the beach or the promenade at Porthcawl.
“It could be that people don’t want to wear a mask on the beach because it looks silly, but what’s preferable, that or spreading infection?
“We have been through a very difficult situation in lockdown and we can’t really go abroad or do the things we used to.
“Everyone needs a break and I understand people want to go to the beach but we should do so sensibly.
“There have been local lockdowns in Aberdeen and the north west of England because people have not maintained social distance.
“This virus loves people and spreading one to another and it makes no difference what colour, race or gender you are.
“I worry this is not going to go away and if we are going to keep to R rate low social distance is one of the only tools we have.”
Transport for Wales and British Transport Police asked people to only use public transport for essential travel and where there are no other travel alternatives.
In a joint statement they said: “With limited capacity due to social distancing measures, TfW are sending out a clear message that public transport remains to maintain safe space for key workers.
“TfW have seen a significant rise in people using the service for recreational activities especially at coastal destinations during good weather and in partnership with BTP would like the public to adhere to the rules.”
Superintendent Andy Morgan from BTP added: “Our officers continue to support rail staff this weekend in engaging with passengers, explaining the importance of preventing the spread of the virus and encouraging people to wear face coverings.
“We are confident that those who need to use the railway will act responsibly and will want to play their part in helping to protect each other and comply with the requirements.”
Visitors to Barry Island described having a fantastic day.
Akrish Koonja, Willow and Stacey Koonja from Pontypridd visited Barry Island.
Arish said: “We came last year at the same time and it was mad.
“You couldn’t move but now there’s space on the beach.
“Social distancing so far has been pretty good expect in the fair where people are quite close together.”
“We would go down on the beach but Willow is scared of the sand, we might give it another try.”
It was not as busy as last week when an estimated 20,000 people visited Barry Island on Thursday, July 30, and the town was left gridlocked in traffic as more people visited the seaside resort the following day.
There was a queue at the train station late afternoon yesteday but people were not allowed on the platform until a train arrived.