PEOPLE URGED TO FOLLOW THE RULES AFTER THOUSANDS VISIT RESORT
THOUSANDS VISIT RESORT SPARKING CONCERNS COVID INFECTION RATES COULD SURGE
PEOPLE are being urged to remain sensible and follow the rules after thousands of people flocked to Cleethorpes to enjoy time in the sunshine.
Pictures showing the resort looking more like a typical summer’s day rather than a town in lockdown have sparked concerns that coronavirus infection rates could surge.
Most people appeared to be maintaining social distances but the number of people caused bottlenecks in areas of the town. One Grimsby Telegraph reader said: “I know people are entitled to go out for their daily exercise and for other essential reasons but the amount of traffic past my house on Main Road in the last few days is unbelievable. I think some people have forgotten that we are still in lockdown.”
Another reader said: “I was as down there at 9.30am on Sunday and it was s beautiful. It was busy but eve- ryone moved out of each h other’s way, using g both paths and the beach. You u need to appreciate we have a beach.” However, other readers have been questioning why locals cannot enjoy “a bit of sun” at the weekend, saying: “I was there yesterday afternoon and it wasn’t half as bad as this picture makes it out to be. “How about you do you, I’ll do me. Everyone will soon say they’re not all locals and maybe you’re right - but Cleethorpes is a pretty big place.
“Police were patrolling on foot alongside community officers too and plenty of social distancing going on also.” Another reader said: “We all have the right to choose whether we want to go for a walk along the beach or stay local and just take the same walk around where we live. “I personally wouldn’t go to Cleethorpes for a walk because common sense tells me it will be busy. However, that doesn’t give me the right to judge anyone for going. “Especially strangers I know nothing about. If anything, I’m a bit jealous I’m not comfortable going yet because I bet it was lovely.” Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, is urging people to be sensible or they risk facing the full strength of the law.
He said: “I drove down there myself to take a look – I didn’t stop.
“It looked like people were trying their very best to practice social distancing but this was difficult in some areas.”
He said the car park at the seafront was “completely full” – and police were making checks on vehicles to find out whether they were local.
Mr Shepherd added: “The bulk of the vehicles were from Grimsby and Cleethorpes. “I can appreciate people may have cabin fever and might have wanted to get out to get some fresh air - but the restrictions still apply.” However, it wasn’t just Cleethorpes that was a “hotspot” for residents at the weekend as People’s Park, Bradley Woods and Weelsby Woods were also said to be packed. He added: “Be sensible. The restriction still apply until the dates provided by the Government.
“If you are caught abusing the rules, you will face a fixed-penalty notice. You will face the full strength of the law.”
Following on from North East Lincolnshire Council director for public health Stephen Pintus’ message last week, Mr Shepherd reiterated that having had the vaccine doesn’t give you a licence to ignore Covid-19 measures.
He added: “Just because some people have had the vaccine, it doesn’t mean they cannot catch or transmit the virus.
“I have had my first vaccine and as has my wife but we wouldn’t dream of going out before the dates set by Government.” Mr Pintus said: “Whilst people have done i incredibly well so far in following the rules, I must urge them to continue to do so, and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
“We are starting to see a slight increase in our figures locally so we all need to continue to stick to the rules.
“Our figures now stand stubbornly above where we were last summer when places started to reopen. We’re now also facing a Covid variant that is much more easily passed from person to person.
“For the Government’s road map to go ahead as planned, we must all remain vigilant and follow the restrictions to keep numbers low.
“If you must leave your home, please remember to follow the rules, and take precautions.
“Wash your hands frequently, keep your distance from anyone that you don’t live with, and wear a mask if you go to an enclosed public space. By following these basic rules, we can continue to get those numbers down.”
Councillor Callum Procter, portfolio holder for economic growth, housing and tourism at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “As the weather improves, and as the Government roadmap proceeds over the coming months, it’s inevitable that we’ll see more and more people come to our resort.
“We are trying to help businesses with the tools to encourage safe shopping, but we know from experience that the key thing is for people to remember the basics, particularly keeping a safe social distance from each other. “We’ll be keeping the resort under review and won’t hesitate to take whatever steps we can, or indeed need to, to try to keep people safe.
“It’s only by driving the Covid numbers down that we’ll all be able to enjoy a summer in public together.”
If you are caught abusing the rules, you will face a fixed-penalty notice. You will face the full strength of the law Councillor Ron Shepherd