50 DAYS OF LOCKDOWN IN 50 PICTURES:
‘Stay out’ say worried rural areas
29 March: Jet aircraft lining the runway of Leeds Bradford International Airport at Yeadon, Leeds. 3 April: A girl admires an NHS mural painted on the side of the Hope & Anchor pub in Pontefract, by artist Rachel List. 8 April: Samuel Smith Brewery in Tadcaster launches its delivery service for Tadcaster and Stutton in North Yorkshire. 13 April: A deserted Haworth on Easter Bank Holiday Monday as people observe the lockdown and stay at home. 18 April: Posters by artist Peter McKee, on Shoreham Street, Sheffield, as the coronavirus outbreak continues. 23 April: A military helicopter landed on the Stray in Harrogate to take supplies to the Nightingale Hospital. 28 April: A woman walks by in full personal protective equipment near Leeds General Infirmary. 3 May: Richie Green, chairman of Holgate Windmill, York, with Helen Hoult, vice chairman, and Steve Potts, secretary. 8 May: President of the York Branch of the Royal British Legion, Denise Edgar, observes the silence on VE day.
THE GOVERNMENT faced mounting accusations that it has mishandled its plan to drag the nation out of the coronavirus lockdown as rural communities braced themselves for a wave of visitors when travel restrictions are eased from today.
Updated government rules on the coronavirus pandemic have relaxed the “stay local” message so people can drive to outdoor open spaces “irrespective of distance”, as long as they respect social distancing guidance.
But in the wake of the new situation
John and Sue Wilson self-isolating on their boat Freedom at Woodlesford Lock, Leeds.
A lone jogger makes her way past a row of shops on The Grove in Ilkley on a Saturday afternoon.
The Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber in Harrogate is lit blue for the applause for the NHS.
Tamsin Moore, out exercising, takes pictures of the cherry blossom on the Stray in Harrogate.
A couple walk down the almost deserted beach at Withernsea, East Yorkshire.
Ray Lewis, ex-Drifters lead singer, performs for residents at West Ridings nursing home, Lofthouse.
Lynn Hodgkinson from Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield, who has designed a special NHS tree to raise money.
A peaceful scene, with sheep grazing in the sunshine, in Gunnerside Bridge, Swaledale.
A cyclist on a penny farthing exercises in the warm weather in the middle of Northallerton town centre. – which only applies to England and not the rest of the UK – National Parks are warning people to respect local communities, keep their distance from others and avoid hotspots or busy areas.
Labour yesterday accused the Government of “mixed messaging” over its strategy, while Tory grandee William Hague urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to consider dropping slogans like “stay at home” and “stay alert”.
The former Conservative leader said the approach of delivering a “straightforward and direct” message paid off in the early day of the battle against coronavirus, but more nuance was needed now. 26 March: A police community support officer patrolling the centre of Doncaster, wearing a face mask for protection.
Lydia Hardwick, 11, with her brother Daniel, eight, support the NHS by painting their window, at Oulton, Leeds.
Two people relax on a bench under a cherry blossom tree next to a lake in Crookes Valley Park, Sheffield.
Scarborough, Easter Weekend. A deserted sea front on Good Friday, as the UK continues in lockdown.
Terry Owston, of Rillington, decorated his mobility scooter in a 1,000 fairy lights to raise money for NHS staff.
Harrogate Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber preparing for the opening tomorrow.
Whitby’s 199 steps bereft of visitors on what should have been the resort’s annual Goth festival weekend.
Nikki Schofield at Bar 10 at Lindley, Huddersfield which has been turned into a sewing factory making laundry bags.
A runner passes forget-me-nots blooming by Ilkley Tarn during their daily exercise.
Ye Olde Naked Man in the centre of Settle in the Yorkshire Dales deserted of visitors during the lockdown.
Lord Hague, who previously held Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Richmond seat in North Yorkshire, said the complications of the challenge ahead meant communication could not be reduced to slogans.
Meanwhile, visitors to the countryside are also being warned that many facilities such
Baroness Thornton criticising the handling of the easing of restrictions. as car parks, visitor centres and public toilets, as well as cafes and pubs, are not yet open.
Forestry England, which looks after the nation’s forests, said car parks and some other facilities at its woods would begin to re-open, but people should check what is closed before travelling.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s chief executive David Butterworth has admitted that the Government’s approach to re-opening the countryside was not one it had advocated.
“We, along with many organisations with countryside facilities, have advocated a staged approach with an initial ‘stay local’ message to avoid unnecessary
Knaresborough is very quiet with businesses and tourist attractions closed, and restricted access to shops.
Jen Capewell, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, a volunteer knitter for the Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond.
Outside the Royal Hall as work continues on the Yorkshire Nightingale Hospital at Harrogate Convention Centre.
A drive-in coronavirus testing site opens at Leeds Temple Green as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive.
Locals go about their daily business in the Market Place, Dewsbury, during the coronavirus lockdown.
A trig point on Norr Hill above Cottingley, Bradford, that has been decorated in support of the NHS.
Signs in Malham and around Malhamdale ask visitors to stay away from the area during the lockdown.
Carrie Vowles and Arlene Furlong with the wall which they have decorated with chalk in Roundhay, north Leeds.
Isla Cosgrove pushes her cousin Esmae Phelan in her pram past Rhododendrons at Temple Newsam, Leeds.
Drivers faced massive queues as they waited to use the Midland Road refuse site in Bradford. travel and minimise any tension between visitors and local communities,” he said.
But in light of the new rules, authority-run car parks would now
Personal fitness instructor Katie Ellis, of Hovingham, North Yorkshire, checks on one of her clients.
A police officer on a bike and a pedestrian next to warning signs on Briggate in Leeds.
A cyclist riding along the road past trees in blossom in York, is a lone figure, on a usually busy Easter Sunday.
A passer-by takes a photo of the NHS mural that appeared overnight on the Pomfret Gallery, Pontefract.
Jill Murray with Gloria the Giraffe in her garden in Lothersdale entertaining locals for the Queen’s birthday.
Harriette Jones, aged six, with her pony Rollo and mum Vickki Capes in the Bluebells at Temple Newsam, Leeds.
Children out on their bikes in Roundhay Park Square during Covid-19 lockdown in Leeds.
In Harrogate, Rowan Woolard with a banner for war veteran neighbour Jack Rushton, 95, who is self-isolating.
A farmer at Colburn Grange Farm, near Catterick, shows his support for the NHS and key workers. be opened and it was working to open toilets as soon as possible, he added, as he asked visitors to respect local communities, nature and other people.
The Lake District National Park is urging people not to return yet, in order to help communities in Cumbria, which officials said has one of the highest Covid-19 infection rates in the UK.
In the House of Lords yesterday, Baroness Thornton criticised the Government’s handling of the easing of restrictions.
Labour’s health spokeswoman in the Lords said Ministers must address “problems of mixed messaging and somewhat shambolic government communications” over the last few days.
Health Minister Lord Bethell said the regulations had played a crucial role in reducing the infection and transmission levels.
Somewhat shambolic government communications.