SUNSEEKERS TURN DEAF EAR TO COVID WARNINGS
Thousands flock to parks and beauty spots in defiance of rules
SCOTS have been warned about flouting lockdown rules following a sharp rise in those appearing to disregard restrictions over the bank holiday weekend.
It comes as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged members of the public to remain at home to help reduce the coronavirus infection rate.
A ‘significant’ number of people were caught breaking Covid-19 lockdown rules, including some stopped while making non-essential journeys of more than 500 miles.
The latest figures for fixed penalty notices issued by police under the coronavirus laws have not yet been released.
But officers had already handed out 2,263 by Wednesday last week.
Images taken at Rowardennan car park at Ben Lomond, in Argyll, showed dozens of cars parked closely together beyond the police tape cordon. On Saturday, at the Devil’s Pulpit, in Stirlingshire, members of the public were photographed moving police tape and cones as they used the car park. Officers were later seen speaking with motorists who had gathered nearby.
Further north, two people went looking for whelks, sparking a major rescue operation on an uninhabited island off the isle of Skye. The operation, involving Kyle and Portree lifeboats, a coastguard helicopter and several coastguard teams began at 8.40pm on Saturday when a 13ft rigid inflatable boat was reported overdue after failing to return to Strollamus, on Skye.
The crew of Kyle Lifeboat spotted a small light on the normally uninhabited island of Scalpay and located the two missing people, who had gone ashore after suffering engine problems earlier in the day.
At the Border, police in Cumbria said they halted a ‘significant’ number of motorists who chose to flout the coronavirus rules.
One driver was stopped after attempting to travel more than 200 miles from Edinburgh to Wigan, Lancashire, to buy a puppy.
According to the force, the motorist was issued a fine – but, ten minutes later, was caught ignoring the instruction turn back and fined a second time before being escorted home.
Another vehicle was stopped en route from London to Aberdeen, a journey of 550 miles, with officers saying the driver claimed he was going ‘to see his cousin’, while a third was caught driving from Bristol to Edinburgh to visit a friend
Superintendent Carl Patrick, of
Cumbria Police, said: ‘Over this weekend we have seen a significant increase in the number of people ignoring the public health restrictions, resulting in a threefold increase in those receiving Fixed Penalty Notices.
‘Some individuals have ignored multiple warnings to abide by the restrictions and go home.
‘Getting in your car and travelling here will put further strain on health resources. It will also increase your own chance of contracting the virus – and passing it on to other people, including family members.’
Residents in Edinburgh and Glasgow were spotted ignoring the lockdown guidelines, with sunbathers taking to the parks.
Yesterday, dozens of people flouted the rules and the six feet social distancing advice by taking a stroll in the sun in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow – while in Edinburgh, the Meadows and Portobello Beach were bustling with walkers and cyclists.
Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: ‘It remains crucial that everyone right across the country continues to play their part. Please – stay home; stay safe; and follow the guidance.’
Meanwhile, new figures show
‘Travelling will further strain NHS’
that since the lockdown began, more than 100 coronavirus-related attacks and threats have been made towards police in Scotland.
Frontline officers and custody suite staff have been subjected to a variety of abusive behaviour including ‘threats of deliberate transmission’.
In some instances, they have been spat at or coughed on, according to Police Scotland. .
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: ‘Those doing the right thing will agree these sorts of attacks on our officers and staff are outrageous and disgraceful.
‘Abuse and assault is not simply part of the job for police officers and staff and will not be tolerated.’