Coronavirus Brighton: Beachgoers continue to flout lockdown

Paddleboarders and picnickers are among those to have been seen disregarding social distancing advice on Brighton and Hove seafront this week.

This goes against thousands of warnings from the Government, police, Brighton and Hove City Council and coastguard crews.

The new rules ask people to stay at home whenever possible, only leaving for essential trips such as food shopping or picking up medication, as well as for one bout of daily exercise.

Brighton and Hove City Council today reminded residents and would-be visitors that they are urged not to travel to the beach and seafront, to only take their daily exercise close to home on their own or with people from their household and to stay six-feet apart from others when leaving the house.

Council leader Cllr Nancy Platts has also issued an appeal as the city aims to do its bit to stop the spread of coronavirus.

She said: “Last weekend, at times, felt like a holiday feeling was creeping in, as some people gathered in groups on the beach for barbecues and picnics.

“The seafront should just be used for essential exercise by people living nearby, not for meeting friends or sunbathing, and not for swimming in the sea - our emergency services are already strained and if people get in trouble while swimming it doesn’t protect our NHS.

“If cycling, please stick to the cycle path and if it’s busy consider walking instead, to leave the path clear for key workers cycling to and from work.

“Our seafront team and police will continue to be out and about, reminding people of the need to keep their distance.

“In the first month of lockdown the team gave out advice on the Covid-19 restrictions more than 1,600 times, for example, moving on large groups and asking people not to sit on the beach.

“They appreciate the many words of thanks and encouragement they have received from other members of the public when doing so.”

HM Coastguard has also reinforced advice to stay out of the sea during the lockdown after people were swimming and indulging in water sports this week.

The service said that this activity put its crews at risk if they were called to rescue straggling seafarers.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “Each time our teams are called to incidents which shouldn’t be happening during lockdown, they’re being put at risk of Covid-19. Stay home, save lives.”

While people are discouraged from travelling to the beach, Cllr Platts also warned that parks should not be seen as spaces for socialising during the lockdown.

She said: “It is equally important that people don’t gather in parks and open spaces around the city to socialise.

“Our parks remain open for exercise, but not for sunbathing, yoga, picnics, or games of football or cricket, for example.

“It is essential to keep a distance from others in the park and please find an alternative location to exercise nearby if it is busy.

“We are putting two metre stencil markings in parks to highlight the need for social distancing, the same as those already used on the seafront.

“Playgrounds, outdoor gym equipment, and skate parks remain closed to protect everyone’s health, as play and sports equipment can be a breeding ground for germs.”

She concluded: “I know everyone longs to get back to normal life, seeing friends and family and getting out and about enjoying the city, but we’ve come this far, we’ve made huge changes in our everyday lives, and it is important that we continue with them.

“The beaches and parks we love will all be there for us to enjoy later in the year, when the time is right.

“Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

• 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