Merseyside Police officers have revealed their concerns over crowds of people gathering in Southport.
They urged people to heed the message that social distancing is vital – and stressed “This is not a holiday”.
They said: “A number of posts were seen across various social media pages on Friday evening, raising concern at teenagers, continuing to walk around Southport and other areas in large groups, as if it were any other normal Friday evening on the last day of school. To be clear, THIS IS NOT A HOLIDAY.
“Schools have been closed to reduce the risk of children contracting and / or spreading the virus between each other and then taking the virus home to their families and friends they continue to mix closely with outside of school.
“Social distancing is important because Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets, packed with the virus, into the air.
“These can be breathed in, or cause infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, then touch your eyes, or mouth.
“The less time people spend together, the less chance there is of this happening.
Bravery and determination of our medical staff is inspiring
“Everyone is now being told to follow social distancing measures. This means keeping two metres away from each other and avoiding large gatherings of people.
“On Sunday 22nd March, the good weather has seen people ignoring this vitally important message in combating the virus, and travelling to Promenade and seafront areas of Southport, Ainsdale and Formby, as if blue sky and sunshine overrules the virus. To be clear, it does not.
“Risks of spreading Coronavirus between those who have gathered in large groups has increased, as has the risk of spreading the virus beyond to others including wider family members.
“It is vitally important to the fight against Coronavirus that people understand why social distancing is necessary to reduce the spread of the virus and reduce the number of people who contract it, some of whom will die as a result of contracting the virus.
“Please follow the government and scientific community advice and follow social distancing measures to help the period of time that we as communities and as a country be as short as possible.”
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