Thousands snub stay home plea
HUNDREDS of thousands of Britons ignored pleas to stay at home yesterday and enjoyed Mother’s Day in the sun – despite the growing spread of coronavirus.
Bournemouth and Whitby were among the hotspots heaving with families who dared to venture outside.
West London’s Richmond Park was awash with walkers, joggers and cyclists, while Columbia Road flower market in east London was bustling with shoppers clutching bouquets. The
Lake District reported a rise in visitors, while in Scotland – where the death toll has risen to 10 – town and city dwellers were slammed after they flocked to the Highlands for a break.
The crowds prompted ministers to say they might use emergency powers to force the closure of businesses like pubs that have defied health advice and stayed open. There are now major concerns that many people are not taking the disease seriously, despite warnings that the NHS is on the brink.
Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons parks in Wales said yesterday was one of their busiest ever days and legal action could be used to force people to stay away. Chief executive Emyr Williams said: “The area has been overwhelmed with visitors. More worrying still is the crowding on the mountain summits and trails, making it impossible to maintain effective social distancing.” Yesterday’s scenes led Prime Minister Boris Johnson to say: “To win this fight we need everyone to follow our advice: as far as possible, we want you to stay at home. The more effectively everyone does this, the faster this country will recover.”
The UK has so far stopped short of France which has banned people from leaving home without official papers.