‘Don’t flock to our beaches this weekend,’ is the message from Sefton Council.
Sefton Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing Cllr Ian Moncur is urging people to stay away from Southport Beach, Ainsdale Beach, Formby beach and others along our coastline after figures released yesterday revealed that cases and deaths of people with coronavirus in Merseyside are among the highest in England.
Cllr Moncur said: “I can fully understand that with the government easing the guidelines on when and where people can take daily exercise people want to be out and about.
“However, I would strongly urge people across our Borough and the North West to put their safety and the safety of others first and not head to our beaches where they could put each other, our local communities and council staff at risk.”
Echoing yesterday’s call by local authorities across Merseyside for members of the public to remain vigilant Cllr Moncur said: “With the data showing that Merseyside region which has a significantly higher death rate than England and the rest of the North West, it is important that people continue to stay home as much as possible and maintain the effort to reduce transmission of this still dangerous virus.
Read More: Covid-19 cases ‘significantly higher’ than England as ‘stay home’ plea made
“I know our beaches are tempting but they are not able to cope with high levels of visitors at the moment.
“The beach car parks at Ainsdale and Southport will not be open and generally parking will be very limited. Public toilets will remain closed to ensure social distancing and the safety of cleaning staff and bins are not in use so people would need to take their litter home with them. Additionally, there will be no Lifeguard patrols taking place.
“I hope people will put their own and others’ safety first and visiting their own local parks and green spaces rather than travelling longer distances to potentially crowded locations.”
Sefton Council announced earlier this week that in line with the government’s new guidelines it had re-opened outdoor tennis, basketball courts and that its outdoor team sport pitches can be used for sunbathing and picnics but not barbeques.
Children’s playgrounds, outdoor gyms, dog areas and pavilions and buildings in parks and bowling greens will remain closed but golf courses are expected to open mid-next week.
The Council asked people to continue being its eyes and ears and to report any large gatherings to the police by dialling 101 or to greensefton@sefton.gov.uk
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