Beach-goers in Cornwall told to wear mask as ‘virus still here’

HOLIDAYMAKERS are being urged to wear face masks on the beach, because Covid “has not disappeared”.

As thousands are expected to flock to beaches to bask in the good weather, Cornwall Council has sasked people to wear a face covering and exercise social distancing while visiting southern seaside resorts.

Citing “high” Covid cases, the council said that visitors should “wash their hands, wear a face covering where you can and keep your distance in crowded places this Easter”.

It also urged anyone who was feeling unwell or had coronavirus symptoms to stay at home.

Latest data show between April 8 and April 14 there were 2,335 people who were confirmed positive for Covid across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Brian O’Neill, public health consultant at Cornwall Council, urged people to take precautions to protect themselves from Covid if they are spending their Easter weekend in the county.

He told BBC Breakfast: “We’ve learned a lot over the years around Covid and now [we’re] moving into living with Covid.

“[Some] of those things that we’re doing [include] making sure you’re vaccinated if you’re meeting up with people that you don’t usually meet up with.”

Visitors to the Lincolnshire coast have been given similar guidance for the bank holiday weekend.

Craig Leyland, the head of East Lindsey District Council, which covers the resorts of Skegness and Mablethorpe, said people should wear a mask in crowded spaces.

“We are just asking people to... make sure the virus isn’t spread unnecessarily,” he told BBC