Devon and Cornwall is CLOSED to tourists this Easter
It's going to be an Easter like none of us has ever seen before - but when Devon and Cornwall reopens our region will be ready to welcome the world once more
For the first time in history the tourist honeypots of Devon and Cornwall are doing their best to stop visitors, second home owners and daytrippers from flooding the South West over the Easter weekend.
Tourism bosses, emergency service leaders and public figures from across the two counties have spoken with one voice and the message is strong and clear: "Do not come - how dare you put yourself before the lives of others."
The stark message despite the loss of millions in tourist revenue is that the beaches and beautiful scenery will still be here after the pandemic - but some of our loved ones may not.
It comes after CornwallLive, DevonLive and PlymouthLive launched the #comebacklater campaign calling for people not to travel to the two counties until it is safe to do so. Our campaign has already won the backing of MPs, tourism bodies and Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner.
Pressure is now mounting as the number of lives lost across the two counties continues to grow.
It follows a warning to the nation from the force Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer who told BBC Breakfast on Saturday that people should examine their own consciences if they endanger lives by travelling to Devon and Cornwall after news that fines could be issued for non-essential travel.
"If a £60 ticket makes you do something and 684 people dying yesterday didn't, then I think you've got to take a good look at yourself as to whether you've realised the seriousness and significance of where we are," he said.
And Secretary of State Matt Hancock states: "Even in the hot weather you must stay at home, that is not a request, that is an instruction."
Malcolm Bell, the Chief Executive of Visit Cornwall, said it will cost the economy £800million, but if people observe the lockdown strictly now, there is hope that the main summer season could be saved.
Speaking in our sister print title The Western Morning News today, he warns: "This crisis has and will cost lives and will cost far more if people keep breaking the rules.
Mr Bell adds, in no uncertain terms: "DO NOT COME – HOW DARE YOU PUT YOURSELF BEFORE THE LIVES OF OTHERS."
"In our region if we all work together, we could be open again in June, possibly earlier," he continues. "However the cost to the region’s economy is estimated to be around £800m.
"Should tourism not be operating in the peak months the cost implications jump into billions of pounds."
Some businesses are refusing to serve people who are not local and signs have been erected at one shop in Cornwall who will only serve locals. Employees at the shop in Tintagel say they will serve people they recognise but will ask all others to provide "evidence" that they reside in Cornwall.
Devon and Cornwall Police has urged would-be visitors to #comebacklater and not make journeys to the south west over the Easter Bank Holiday in the light of clear government advice.
Police officers will stop and check drivers, but not liveried vehicles such as those working for highways departments, utility distribution networks or food and medical distribution.
Stacked chairs and closed coffee cabins are sad to see - but show people are taking lockdown seriously(Image: Max Channon)
The advice to slow coronavirus, protecting the NHS and ultimately saving lives, is as follows:
- Stay at home
- Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
- If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home
- Do not meet others, even friends or family. You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.
A force statement said: “Devon and Cornwall Police officers, all other blue light and health services and key workers are doing an incredible job in keeping the public safe, but we ask you to consider that increasing the population of our area will place an unreasonable burden on them.
“Increasing the number of people in any given area will also of course make it more difficult to observe vital social distancing.
“Devon and Cornwall, our Force area which contains many beauty spots and popular beaches, will still be here when the coronavirus outbreak is contained, so please #comebacklater.”
The public will see a highly visible police presence both in vehicles and foot patrols, proactively policing areas where people may put themselves at risk by not following government advice about travel and social distancing.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for one of the country’s most visited areas has backed calls for tourists and second home owners to stay away this Easter and to consider making properties available for the coronavirus response.
The Barbican's bustling Southside Street was silent(Image: Max Channon)
The Devon and Cornwall Police force has more domestic visitors than any other in the UK and a high proportion of elderly residents classed as vulnerable to coronavirus (Covid-19).
Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is also asking for anyone with empty property in the area to make it available for key workers.
"I am concerned by reports that people are seeing Devon and Cornwall as good locations to see out the lockdown. That is not the case, people are safer in their primary residences, where they are registered with medical practices and have support networks. The 1.7m residents of Devon and Cornwall will also be safer if people stay away.”
An eerily empty stretch of the M5
The only holiday accommodation legally allowed to remain open are those which provide accommodation for key workers, NHS staff and for health and care use. The Carnmarth Hotel in Newquay is being used to care for people who have been discharged from hospital, who are not ready to go home.
Cornwall Council has received complaints alleging that some holiday accommodation providers are still having holiday makers in their premises and operating illegally.
The Police and Crime Commissioner said: "I am asking other accommodation providers or those who have second homes to consider letting key workers such as NHS staff or police officers to stay in their properties.
"NHS or police workers are being moved around as part of the response to this crisis so we could make good use of any empty holiday properties.
“When the restrictions are over we will be welcoming visitors back with open arms, but right now we implore you to stay away and come back later,” she added.
Councillor Julian German, leader of Cornwall Council, said: “We understand that this epidemic, and the essential restrictions that have had to have been put in place, will have significant impacts on businesses in the tourist sector and the wider Cornish economy, and we are here to provide help and advice to help businesses to survive it."
A seagull flies over boats in the summer at St Ives harbour(Image: Greg Martin)
North Devon, Torbay and Devon County Councils all joined in to urge people to stay at home, stay safe and wait until Covid-19 restrictions are lifted before paying a visit to the county.
Guidance for employees, employers and businesses on surviving the epidemic has been published by the Government and can be found here.
Accommodation providers wanting to offer their properties for key workers or victims of crime should get in touch with their upper tier authority. Cornwall council has specific advice regarding its ‘call for accommodation’ which can be found here.
An empty Torquay town centre
Ahead of the Easter Holidays, Torbay Council and the English Riviera BID Company are calling on all holiday accommodation providers, including letting agents and online booking platforms, to support the COVID-19 response by following the Government’s closure orders.
Leader of Torbay Council, Cllr Steve Darling, said: “It’s up to all of us to play our part in fighting this virus, as well as obeying the law, and this simply means that not only should all the traditional tourism business close to holiday makers, but also people letting out rooms and properties on online booking platforms including Airbnb that have grown rapidly over the last few years.”
