The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
OUT TO PLAY
CORONAVIRUS: Sturgeon urges public to be cautious as lockdown rules eased
Sunseekers swarmed to beaches, golf courses and garden centres across Tayside and Fife yesterday as the first minister urged people to behave responsibly.
Shops were described as “busier than Christmas” as people enjoyed the new freedoms in the first phase of easing lockdown.
People queued waiting for garden centres to reopen and those keen to return to golf courses and fisheries had to be turned away because they were full. Most people followed social distancing measures but Nicola Sturgeon urged people not to become complacent as the coronavirus death toll in Scotland reached 2,331 yesterday, up 15 from the previous day.
She said: “I really do want everyone to enjoy these changes but I am asking you to please do so responsibly.
“However harsh these rules might feel right now, abiding by them will never be as harsh as grieving the loss of a loved one.”
Hundreds of people across Tayside and Fife swarmed to parks, golf courses, beaches and beauty spots as lockdown was partially lifted yesterday.
Scotland was bathed in sunshine as families and friends were allowed to get together while following the social distancing guidelines.
By mid-morning, Aberdour’s Silver Sands was busy with families enjoying a splash in the water and a picnic on the shore.
Hundreds of people flocked to Broughty Ferry beach as temperatures soared, with most following the twometre rule.
Thirty-strong queues were seen at popular ice cream parlour Visocchi’s Café, on Gray Street.
Marco Caira, who owns the business with his mother and brother, said: “We have been packed today.
“We’ve had to space everyone out and had chalk on the pavement outside, but not so much as to block the whole way, so everyone keeps the right distance.”
Long queues also snaked around shops across Tayside and Fife.
Dundee resident Douglas Melville was pleased to see people out enjoying their new-found, yet limited, freedom.
“It was busier than Christmas,” he said.
“Although people were talking to one another and clearly happy to be out, they were observing social distancing.
“I saw people chatting at the doorways of homes to people inside, it was all very happy but, from what I saw, also careful.”
Several garden centres were able to open their doors for the first time. The Plant Market in Dalgety Bay had a singer to entertain customers queuing to get in, while Jane Cox, co-owner of Glendoick garden centre, was greeted by a queue of 50 people when she opened.
Delighted golfers also returned to courses across Courier Country.
At the sport’s official home of St Andrews, Emma and Paul Woodhouse were among the first golfers out on the world famous Old Course.
Speaking fresh from the 18th hole, Emma said: “Getting to play the Old Course on the most perfect day after 10 weeks off, it couldn’t get any better. It is great to get out.”
David Angus, captain at the King George golf course on Moncrieffe Island in Perth, said: “We have filled up pretty quickly for appointments and everyone has been playing by the rules.
“We are just happy to be back and there is a good buzz about the place.
“It’s not just about sport – it’s about seeing your friends and renewing friendships.”
Anglers also took advantage of the easing of restrictions and Brian McGlashan, of the River Leven Angling Club, described having his rod in his hand again as “manna from heaven”. “Even if you’re fishing with someone, there’s plenty of room to leave space between you,” he said. “I’ve loved being out today.”
The Willowgate Trout Fishery in Perth was so busy it had to turn people away.
Manager Dave Houghton reduced the number of angling stances in use from 40 to 12 to ensure social distancing.
He said: “We’ve been cleaning everything, we’ve spaced everyone out, so there’s plenty room between them and nobody is sharing equipment.”
But the joy was not without its concerns as dozens of wild campers and campervans were spotted flocking to Highland Perthshire.
The southern shore of Loch Tummel and the Loch Errochty area were packed with tourists yesterday.
Highland Ward SNP councillor Mike Williamson urged people not to travel there yet, stressing that tourism isn’t permitted in the first phase and that the infrastructure to support tourism isn’t back in place yet.
He said: “It is deeply concerning to hear that people are coming to Highland Perthshire to partake in wild camping.
“The public health advice is that people should remain at home as much as possible, and camping is certainly not permitted.
“I have real concerns about this as there are no toilet facilities open and they are likely to remain closed for some time.
“People deciding to come and camp anyway raises real concerns about pollution from human waste.”