IT'S a sunny bank holiday weekend which means Brighton's' beaches, cafes, parks and favourite seaside spots would normally be packed.

But in 2020, the scenes across the country are unprecedented.

The beaches are empty, the cafes have shut their doors, the amusement arcades are boarded up and even the Palace Pier is closed.

There are police roadblocks along all major routes, the authorities are patrolling hotspots and council leaders are telling the public to stay away and to follow the UK Government's message to stay at home.

The Argus:

Nearly three weeks have passed since the Prime Minister announced that everyone must stay at home in order to stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives.

>> SEE ALSO: What a difference a year makes: Brighton beach pictured in April 2019 and 2020

It's taken a while for this message to sink in and some continue to try and flout the official guidance, like going paddleboarding or booking an Airbnb.

But the new rules, put in place by the UK Government, have come with a catastrophic price attached for the tourism industry.

The Argus:

It's the same eerie scene across Sussex.

Every bank holiday, you can count on thousands flocking to the popular seaside resorts to enjoy the sunshine. But not this year.

As the Government urged everyone to stay home and save lives, there were massive queues outside supermarkets ahead of the Easter weekend.

The Argus:

Meanwhile, police said they were still being called to house parties, football matches and large family gatherings, despite the lockdown.

  • Pictures by Simon Dack
  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund