‘It’s not holiday season, this is life or death’
Plea after high number of visitors land on beauty spots
Strath residents were astounded at the amount of visitors to the area last weekend despite government recommendations to stay at home.
And they are hoping there will be no repeat of the same scenes this weekend now that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have imposed more stringent ‘lockdown’ conditions.
Public gatherings of more than two people have been banned and people should only leave their homes in limited circumstances as the coronavirus pandemic escalates.
Police have been given powers to fine people who flout the safety rules.
Strath beauty spots – including Loch Earn, Glen Lednock and Glen Turret – were particularly affected last weekend as unseasonably high numbers of people retreated to the countryside for a day out.
Locals took to social media to voice their concerns about the irresponsible behaviour, saying it was not only putting local residents at risk health-wise, but economically as well.
Gillian Brock, vice- chair of Comrie Community Council, said she understood why city dwellers would be trying to escape to the country that but added locals’ worries were justified.
And, speaking to the Herald, she implored people to follow government guidelines.
Mrs Brock said: “There’s been a lot of despair over the amount of folk flocking to the countryside amid the coronavirus crisis.
“Having lived here for 25 years, I have adapted happily to the country life and my family are a very old local family.
“I was raised in Giffnock – a suburb of Glasgow – and if I’m honest in the past I would have been blissfully unaware of the danger of escaping the city and coming to the countryside.
“But we have to protect our farmers and other key residents from catching this disease as livestock is going to play a very important part in the food chain in the coming weeks.
“Coming from the city, I don’t think people realise this. It’s not ignorance – they just don’t understand.
“That said they were told to stay at home so it was disappointing to see so many people here at the weekend.
“We do not want anyone unnecessarily visiting the area.
“The government have stated to stay indoors and only go out when necessary.
“We should all play our part and isolate ourselves where we can. That means no unnecessary contact and certainly not meeting in groups in public areas.
“The Comrie skate park on Sunday, for example, had children and adults all mingling – this is not acceptable, we’ve been told not to mix in groups at any cost
“It’s not holiday season – this is life or death.
“I implore people to follow the guidelines set out by the governing bodies that know what they are talking about.”