Lake District SHUTS for the first time ever as police fear another deluge of tourists this weekend amid coronavirus lockdown
- Cumbria Police has warned outdoor lovers that the Lake District is shut down
- Officers said a significant number of people ignored advice last weekend
- Thousands of visitors went to the Lake District despite the threat of coronavirus
- Police will challenge motorists to prove their visit to the area was ‘essential’
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The Lake District National Park has closed to the public for what is believed to be first time in its history due to Coronavirus.
For centuries walkers have flocked to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, especially during times of turmoil, to find solace among its beautiful fells.
But this morning Cumbria Police have issued a stark message – the Lake District is closed.
Last weekend walkers ignored social distancing guidelines in the Lake District, gathering in groups, pictured here at the top of Scafell Pike
Groups of people were seen congregating on the way up to Scafell Pike in the Lake District last weekend, prompting today’s announcement by Cumbria police
Cumbria police have said the Lake District is ‘closed’ in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. They have warned tourists that officers will challenge them to determine whether their journey is ‘essential’. Pictured here is Windermere which is almost empty
The force says the announcement follows scenes last weekend which saw thousands of tourists descend on the area in defiance of Government orders to stay indoors.
Temporary Chief Superintendent Rob O’Connor said: ‘Last weekend we saw significant amounts of tourists travel to the Lake District, and my message is really simple, the Lake District is closed.
‘Pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed, and we do not want to see people travelling to the Lakes in caravans and camper vans or driving many miles in their cars to go walking on the fells.
‘The Government guidance is really clear in relation to personal movements to limit the spread of coronavirus.
‘It is really clear that people should not be travelling unless there is an essential reason to do so.
‘It does not mean on nice days you can drive into the Lakes and go walking, or ride your motorbike to Devils Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale.
‘I still want my officers to engage, explain and encourage the public in relation to the restrictions that are in place.
‘There is now legislation that means people can be fined for breaching the restrictions, but my preference is that my officers do not need to resort to doing so, and that the public show common sense and do not travel into the Lakes.
‘Over the weekend people will see my officers in the Lakes and the Kirkby Lonsdale areas, and they can expect to be stopped and asked whether their travel is essential.
‘As we saw on Thursday evening there was an outpouring of support nationally for the NHS, and people need to ensure they follow the Government guidance and restrictions in these unprecedented times to ensure we do not overburden the NHS.’
Bars, cafes and amusement arcades in Windermere are all closed in line with government guidelines to reduce the risk of passing on Covid-19
Temporary Chief Superintendent Rob O’Connor said: ‘Last weekend we saw significant amounts of tourists travel to the Lake District, and my message is really simple, the Lake District is closed.’ Pictured here, Lake Windermere with all the tourist boats tied up
There have been almost 12,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, including the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who today admitted he had been infected by the disease and was in self isolation