Visitors NOT welcome! Tourist boards from Cornwall to Cumbria tell Britons to keep out and National Trust stays shut despite Boris Johnson giving the green light for long-distance trips outdoors

  • New rules mean people can take unlimited exercise and travel to beauty spots
  • But tourism bosses in Cornwall, Cumbria and Cotswolds tell people to stay away
  • People are also warned Wales and Scotland still have 'stay home' policy in place 
  • And the National Trust said it had no plans to reopen any of its closed sites 
  • Do you work at a golf club, tennis club, tourist spot or B&B?  Email bridie.pearson-jones@mailonline.co.uk
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

Tourism chiefs today urged Britons to stay away from beauty spots after the Government said people could travel as far as they like for unlimited exercise.

Bosses in Cornwall and Cumbria were among those asking people not to travel to their beaches and lakes, while Brighton council's chief told tourists to 'stay away'.

And Cotswolds Tourism warned: 'We certainly won't be encouraging anyone to visit the Cotswolds before hospitality businesses are open to welcome them.'

 The National Trust confirmed today that officials are now working through the new guidance to see if they are able to reopen any of their closed sites - but there are no immediate plans to reopen these or their car parks.

A spokesman told MailOnline: 'Following the Prime Minister's broadcast outlining the Government's gradual roadmap out of lockdown we will begin to review its effect on our reopening plans.'

Meanwhile travelling to Wales and Scotland for leisure trips is still not allowed, with the 'stay home' message remaining in place outside of England.

And summer holidays might not take place until mid-summer, with the Government also saying that hotels and holiday homes will not reopen before July 4. 

It came as Ministers revealed their strategy for exiting the coronavirus lockdown which has kept much of the country indoors for the past 49 days.

People can now go on walks in the countryside, sunbathe outside, and travel longer distances if they stay two metres apart from those from other households.

A sign warns people to stay away from the Cornish village of Constantine Bay on April 7

A sign warns people to stay away from the Cornish village of Constantine Bay on April 7

A sign attatched to a road sign near the village of Cerrigydrudion in North Wales on March 23

A sign attatched to a road sign near the village of Cerrigydrudion in North Wales on March 23

Meanwhile garden centres, golf clubs and tennis courts are readying to reopen this week - provided social distancing is enforced.

Sunny weather in recent days has increased fears that people will travel long distances to visit beaches in the south east.

Also after the plans emerged, an English Heritage spokesman said: 'Like many, we are digesting the Government's latest announcement and awaiting the further details. As soon as we are in position to confirm our plans, we will update you.'  

A sign reads 'This Village is Closed' in Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds on April 11

A sign reads 'This Village is Closed' in Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds on April 11

The empty town centre of Windermere in the Lake District is pictured on March 23

The empty town centre of Windermere in the Lake District is pictured on March 23

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson's address to the UK on Sunday, one council leader said there was 'ambiguity' in the Government's messaging.

'Do not travel from England to exercise in Wales', First Minister says 

Wales' First Minister has warned people living in England against travelling into Wales to exercise.

Mark Drakeford said 'in Wales it is Welsh law that applies' following concerns traffic from England could increase after Prime Minister Boris Johnson relaxed travel restrictions there.

On Monday, Public Health Wales said a total of 1,116 people have now died after testing positive for coronavirus, an increase of five on Sunday's figures, while an increase of 124 positive tests brought the total in Wales to 11,468.

Mr Drakeford said police had reported a 'distinct increase in activity' in Wales over the bank holiday weekend, including alcohol-related violence and increased traffic, following reports the lockdown in England might be eased.

Mr Drakeford told the Welsh Government's daily press conference: 'Now they and and we have concerns that traffic flow into Wales could continue to increase as a result of the Prime Minister's announcement that travel to exercise will be allowed in England.

'Now I just want to be clear. In Wales, it is Welsh law that applies. Travelling to Wales to exercise is not to exercise locally. We will use whatever means are available to convey this message.'

Mr Drakeford said these could include signs on major roads and motorways, and Welsh Government-paid articles in regional newspapers across the Wales-England border.

Current rules in Wales allow people to exercise more than once a day - but unlike in England they must do so locally, with the exercise not involving any significant travel.

Those who are in breach of the rules can be fined £60, rising to £120 for second and subsequent offences. First offences fall to £30 if paid within 14 days.

The First Minister raised doubts about the rule changes announced by Mr Johnson, which include allowing people to spend more time outdoors for leisure purposes and being able to drive to parks or beaches within England.

Mr Drakeford said: 'I think we have got it right in Wales and I don't think they've got it right over the border.

'Our restrictions on people's ability to travel are there because we don't want the virus to travel and the further people go, the bigger the risk is that coronavirus will start to spread again.

'That's why we say to people in Wales 'stay local', because that reduces the risk.'

Mr Drakeford said he had 'huge sympathy' for people who had relatives across the border but said the 'sacrifice' of not having direct face-to-face contact with them was being made to protect people from the virus. 

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Nancy Platts, who is the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: 'We want a slow, steady and safe progression towards lockdown lifting.

'We want to make sure we are stepping forward in a measured way. We know restrictions will need to stay in place for a long time to come.

'We want the restrictions to be lifted carefully in a positive direction. Our priority is to keep people who live in the city safe. One concern is around how residents can maintain physical distancing in our busy city if we have an influx of visitors.

'The Prime Minister has said that hospitality and leisure businesses are not likely to open before July. The shops and attractions are still closed and we want people who do not live in Brighton and Hove to stay away.'

And Cotswolds Tourism told Sky News: 'We hope that this week's ministerial briefings will clarify the situation. We assume that the Prime Minister meant (and the briefings will make clear) that people are free to enjoy any parks and beaches near to them: where social distancing should be possible.

'However, with hospitality businesses closed until at least July - along with many car parks and public toilets - it is hard to see how or why anyone could/should travel far from home. 

'We certainly won't be encouraging anyone to visit the Cotswolds before hospitality businesses are open to welcome them.'

Meanwhile, James Mason, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: 'In March we asked people to stay away from our many beauty spots - coastline and countryside - to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

'We welcome the road map to recovery but with caution. Please respect that these communities are not yet able to cope with tourism.'

The Welsh Government's counsel general, Jeremy Miles, added to the BBC the rules 'do not permit people to get in their car and drive to destinations in Wales'.

'And that also means people getting in their cars in England,' he said.

He told the daily Welsh Government press conference: 'I want to be clear - in Wales, it is Welsh law which applies.'

Nicola Sturgeon has also said that abandoning the stay at home message in Scotland and following Boris Johnson's easing of lockdown would put lives at risk. 

The Foresty Commission also urged people to stay at home and only travel to woods if they live nearby and can walk there.

A spokesman told MailOnline: 'Although this is great news and we look forward to welcoming visitors back to the nation's forests as soon as we can, our priority is to keep people safe.

 'We are swiftly reviewing how we can re-open our car parks and other facilities while still managing our forests safely and supporting social distancing. We will keep our website up to date with our plans.

Strawberry Hill Golf Club in West London prepares to open today as the lockdown is eased

Strawberry Hill Golf Club in West London prepares to open today as the lockdown is eased

A man picks up flowers at the Sandy Lane garden centre and nursery in Liverpool this morning

A man picks up flowers at the Sandy Lane garden centre and nursery in Liverpool this morning

'Until then, please continue to avoid making unnecessary journeys and do not travel to the nation's forests. Local people can still walk and cycle to our forests but must follow government rules on social distancing'.

Officials in the Lake District urged those not to travel to their beauty spots, and told them to 'look at their conscious' and stay at home.

Cumbria's tourism board tweeted last night: 'We are shocked by the timing and short notice of tonight's announcement.

The government issued a series of graphics last night to illustrate the potential path out of the coronavirus lockdown

The government issued a series of graphics last night to illustrate the potential path out of the coronavirus lockdown

'We are awaiting further details but the safety of residents must come first. For now, tourism businesses in Cumbria remain closed and we urge everyone to continue to #StayHome.' 

South Lakes police also urged people to 'take a long hard look' at their conscious before heading to the Lake District.

Sharing a map which showed the North West as the worst affected area of the UK, they said: 'Before considering travelling to #Cumbria #LakeDistrict please grab a brew, examine this map, and take a long hard look at your own conscience. 

'We urge you to use common sense and to continue to exercise close to your own home. We need to break the cycle of infection #lockdown'

Golfers wear facemasks as they stand outside the 'proshop' while preparing for a practice session at The "Bluegreen" Golf Course in Saint Aubin, south-west of Paris

Golfers wear facemasks as they stand outside the 'proshop' while preparing for a practice session at The 'Bluegreen' Golf Course in Saint Aubin, south-west of Paris

A golfer wears a facemask as he pushes his trolley ahead of a practice session at The 'Bluegreen' Golf Course in Saint Aubin

A golfer wears a facemask as he pushes his trolley ahead of a practice session at The 'Bluegreen' Golf Course in Saint Aubin

Earlier this month, the North West of England passed London as the epicentre of the UK's coronavirus outbreak, with more people in the region in hospital with the illness than in the capital. 

Officials in Cornwall have also urged tourists to stay away until July.

Malcom Bell, the chief executive of Visit Conrwall, told Cornwall Live the Prime Minster's speech added more confusion than clarity.  

'The bottom line though is that we don't want people turning up in Cornwall on Wednesday.

Nicola Sturgeon has also said that abandoning the stay at home message in Scotland and following Boris Johnson's easing of lockdown would put lives at risk.
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has told people not to travel over the border from England to exercise in Wales.

Both Nicola Sturgeon (left) and Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford (right) have said the easing of lockdown does not applying in Scotland and Wales

'He said from Wednesday onwards so I am hoping this 50-page document will spell out the limitations on that. I'd hope it would say no travelling of more than 10 miles something along those lines.'

 'I would hope that the increased police powers and fines will act as stronger deterrent to prevention long or unjustifiable journeys to places like Cornwall,' he added.   

The warning comes despite a new study showing jobs in Britain's top holiday destinations among those most at risk due to coronavirus.

The futures of more than 30 per cent of positions in areas such as Cornwall, the Cotswolds and the Isle of Wight are threatened in light of the pandemic, according to analysis by The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).

A map, pictured, shows the 20 local authority areas where the most jobs are at risk, according to an RSA study

A map, pictured, shows the 20 local authority areas where the most jobs are at risk, according to an RSA study

Many resident of holiday towns have made it clear that they do not want tourists visiting during the pandemic. A message reading 'tourists go home' is scrawled on the beach in St Ives in March

Many resident of holiday towns have made it clear that they do not want tourists visiting during the pandemic. A message reading 'tourists go home' is scrawled on the beach in St Ives in March 

This angry sign in north Wales reads: 'Snowdonia is closed. F*** off home!', as locals hit out at tourists

This angry sign in north Wales reads: 'Snowdonia is closed. F*** off home!', as locals hit out at tourists

Countryside dwellers are blasting city residents who are fleeing places like London for idyllic retreats (pictured, one person erected a sign on a roadside near Pembrokeshire)

Countryside dwellers are blasting city residents who are fleeing places like London for idyllic retreats (pictured, one person erected a sign on a roadside near Pembrokeshire) 

The research suggests some 66,878 jobs could be lost on England's southwestern tip, traditionally inundated with swathes of tourists and holidaymakers during the summer months.

In the Outer Hebrides, more than 2000 people have signed a petition to crackdown on lockdown-breaking ferry passengers coming to the islands.

The region has just six confirmed cases of coronavirus, but the authorities are now being urged to clamp down on visitors breaking the rules entering the Western Isles.

The petition - which urges tighter enforcement of travel restrictions - comes after new visitors were recently spotted and the death of six residents with Covid-19 at a care home on neighbouring Skye.

 

Reopening of garden centres welcomed by horticulture industry

Moves to reopen garden centres this week in England have been welcomed by the horticulture industry, which urged Scotland to follow suit.

While most businesses and venues are to remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, garden centres in England are being allowed to open their doors.

Hundreds of nurseries and growers - many of them family businesses - have faced ruin as the market for seasonal plants shut down at a time when people normally flock to outlets to restock their gardens.

Robin Mercer, owner of Hillmount Garden Centres, holding a sign advising customers to social distance at the shop in Belfast on the outskirts of the city

Robin Mercer, owner of Hillmount Garden Centres, holding a sign advising customers to social distance at the shop in Belfast on the outskirts of the city

Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) chairman James Barnes described the reopening of garden centres in England as 'a positive economic move', which would be applauded by millions of gardeners and the industry.

'This is not only a positive economic move but gardening benefits the mental health and wellbeing of so many people isolating at home and the importance of having something to do at home keeps you at home,' he said.

But he added it 'isn't the single answer for the £1.5 billion British nursery market' and called for a compensation scheme to help 'save our horticultural industry'.

He said the HTA had sought urgent talks with the Scottish Government to ascertain when a date will be set for the reopening of garden centres in Scotland 'as soon as safely possible'.

The current situation in different parts of the UK would confuse the public and put the Scottish horticulture industry at a disadvantage to the rest of the UK, he warned.

'We have made the same case to the Northern Ireland Executive,' he added.

Shop assistant Naomi Ferguson holds a potted plant at Hillmount Garden Centres near Belfast today

Shop assistant Naomi Ferguson holds a potted plant at Hillmount Garden Centres near Belfast today

Customers returning to garden centres can expect access controls in place in car parks, restrictions on how many people will be allowed in stores, and to have to keep two metres apart.

Cafes, restaurants and children's play areas will remain shut.

TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh said 'it is up to us all now to make the supply chain work safely' because 'gardens enhance our lives'.

The challenge for garden centre managers will be to ensure that customers have 'as pleasant an experience as possible without compromising their wellbeing', he added.

He continued: 'With joint determination to make this work - and that will involve patience and cooperation on both sides of the till - we can rescue a situation and avert what seemed, a few weeks ago, like total disaster.

'Gardens enhance our lives, and now we have a chance to support and encourage those who grow the plants that fill them.'

Garden centres in Wales were allowed to open from today, while First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland's guidelines on the reopening of garden centres will be considered in the coming days.

Tennis, fishing and unlimited exercise allowed from Wednesday 

People will be allowed to play tennis and go fishing from Wednesday as the Government eases lockdown restrictions to allow for unlimited outdoor exercise.

The Government's coronavirus recovery strategy said that from May 13, people will be allowed to exercise 'as many times each day as they wish' with one other person from outside their household.

People will also be allowed to drive to parks and other open spaces 'irrespective' of how far away they are located.

While recreational activities such as tennis and angling will be permitted, team sports will not be allowed 'except with members of your own household', the strategy, which was published on Monday, said.

Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and 'ticketed outdoor leisure venues' - where there is a higher risk of close contact - also remain off-limits under step one of the plans.

The reopening of such leisure facilities may only be 'fully possible significantly later' depending on the reduction in infections, it added.

The document warned that if people break the rules and begin to mix in groups in parks, the infection rate could increase and trigger the need for further restrictions.

Under the guidelines, those exercising outdoors must comply with the two-metre (6ft) social distancing rule when around people they do not live with.

People will be allowed to drive to outdoor open spaces as 'this does not involve contact with people outside your household', the Government said.

However, it added: 'When travelling to outdoor spaces, it is important that people respect the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and do not travel to different parts of the UK where it would be inconsistent with guidance or regulations issued by the relevant devolved administration.'

According to advice from the scientific advisory group for emergencies (Sage), the risk of infection outdoors is 'significantly lower' than inside.

The strategy said: 'These measures may come with some risk; it is important that everyone continues to act responsibly, as the large majority have done to date.

'The infection rate will increase if people begin to break these rules and, for example, mix in groups in parks, which will trigger the need for further restrictions.'

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Is this the future of tourism? How York plans to make visitors walk one-way down its famous street The Shambles to ensure social distancing after lockdown

By HENRY MARTIN FOR MAILONLINE 

York is considering plans to make visitors to its historic Shambles walk one-way to keep social distancing in place after lockdown. 

The proposal is part of a 'confidence charter' drawn up by the York Retail Forum to help ease visitors' worries when the city - which typically hosts more than 8 million visitors a year - is open again.

As Britain begins to consider how life will change when lockdown is lifted, the plans could prove to be a blueprint for how tourist hotspots such as Stonehenge and the Tower of London could operate while minimising the risk of spreading infections. 

Other ideas being considered in York include on-street hand sanitiser dispensers and encouraging visitors to forego selfies and to keep moving, the Guardian reports.

York is considering plans to make visitors to its historic Shambles walk one-way to keep social distancing in place after lockdown

York is considering plans to make visitors to its historic Shambles walk one-way to keep social distancing in place after lockdown

The narrow streets - which see visitors packed into narrow lanes - played a part in the quick spread of the Black Death in the 14th century, leading half the population to be wiped out one summer.  

Phil Pinder, chair of the York Retail Forum, said: 'Obviously we have lots of narrow streets and you can't keep the necessary distance away from other people if you have people going in both directions.'   

Mr Pinder also runs the exotic drinks shop the Potions Cauldron on the Shambles - which is thought to have been part of the inspiration behind Harry Potter's Diagon Alley.

'Our shop is 2.5 metres by five metres, and so you can already see social distancing is hard. But outside my shop the width of the street is only about three metres,' he said.

A customer buys food through the window of a bakery in the Little Shambles, York, April 4

A customer buys food through the window of a bakery in the Little Shambles, York, April 4 

'We had a meeting at the retail forum last week and we agreed that narrow streets have got to be one-way. When everyone is walking in different directions it's difficult to get from one end to the other, so we are looking to the council to put up cones, maybe even metal barriers, and signs to show people clearly where they should walk.'

Mr Pinder is also considering serving customers through a horizontal sliding hatch seen in old listed buildings called a 'Yorkshire window'.

MP for York Central Rachael Maskell said the one-way idea 'made sense' because the city is full of 'narrow little snickets' - but controlling it might prove challenging. 

She said the city is now at an 'economic crossroads' and once lockdown ends it will need investment in the right places, 'otherwise it will just fall over'.