Britons across the UK today flocked to beaches and parks up and down the country to take a stroll with their loved ones for Mother’s Day, despite social distancing advice from the government surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Many headed out and enjoyed the balmy spring weather after the government forced pubs and restaurants to close on Friday night.
It comes as Boris Johnson urged people to stay indoors and ‘work from home where possible’.
Official advise from the government stated people should practice social distancing in a bid to prevent draconian measures having to be implemented across the country. Despite this many people were seen rubbing shoulders today as they visited some of the UK’s most popular outdoor spots.
Tourists are also being urged to stay away from beaches and other holiday destinations in the UK to limit the spread of coronavirus as 240 people have now died in the UK, while 5,018 people are also reported to have contracted the illness.
This is while in Dorset many strolled across the sands while others thought nothing of going for a dip in the sea this afternoon.
The Scottish government has today criticised tourists for ‘irresponsible behavior’ as many got in their caravans to try and ‘escape’ from the coronavirus.
In London, people were still out and about and some even made it down to the infamous Columbia Road Flower Market this afternoon, despite criticism from major Sadiq Khan who said Londoners needed to stay in to save lives.
Cumbria Police said despite Government advice to avoid non-essential travel, the Lake District and other tourist hotspots in the UK were experiencing an ‘influx’ of visitors.
People packed Bournemouth esplanade this morning (Sunday). Paddle boarders and swimmers braved the cold temperatures despite fears over the global coronavirus outbreak
People were seen in Skegness today indulging in fish and chips. They were stood close to each other and some were sharing their food
People in Brighton were seen walking along the seafront his afternoon as many decided to ignore advise to stay indoors today
Dog walkers, cyclists, joggers and drivers all crowd Richmond Park this afternoon as some people continue to ignore the pleas of staying indoors to help try and reduce the amount of people getting infected with the coronavirus
The infamous Columbia Road Flower Market in London showed no signs of slowing down today as many flocked there to purchase flowers
The force has now urged people from outside its county to keep away, stating that the Lake District is ‘no longer conducting business as usual’, with pubs, restaurants and attractions advised to close.
In Scotland, its tourism secretary, Fiona Hyslop, was clear and asked people not to flock to the Highlands in order to escape other busier places.
‘My advice to everybody is stay where you are. Do not travel to the Highlands and Islands.’
Meanwhile, Judy Murray, mother of tennis stars Andy and Jamie Murray, tweeted a simple message to ‘those relocating to the countryside’ – a picture of a car and trailer with ‘Go home idiots’ and ‘Covid-19’ painted on the side.
The pleas came as the organisation that represents tourism businesses along the A830 road, which connects Fort William with Mallaig, also urged potential visitors to stay away.
The Road To The Isles group includes 100 accommodation and visitor-based businesses on the scenic route, which takes in Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Roshven, Arisaig, Morar, Mallaig and the Small Isles of Eigg, Muck, Rum, Canna and the Knoydart peninsula.
The area already has an ageing population, with just one doctor and ambulance to cover it, and the nearest hospital is 100 miles away.
Many people were also seen walking around in Richmond Park this afternoon as they looked to get fresh air amid the coronavirus outbreak
The Scottish Government has issued a travel warning and criticised the ”irresponsible behaviour’ of those travelling to the Highlands in a bid to isolate from coronavirus
Mother’s Day mayhem at the tills: Tesco supermarket is forced to shut after dozens of panic-buyers ignore ‘NHS hour’ – while shoppers accuse retailer of raising prices after it scrapped 600 promotional offers
Hundreds of shoppers were spotted queuing outside supermarkets on Mother’s Day this morning as self-isolation cancels celebrations.
Eager shoppers were seen queuing outside a Tesco in Cheshunt just before it opened its doors to NHS workers and emergency staff in a bid to help them buy essentials before panic buyers ransack the shelves.
However, one Tesco was forced to shut its doors after selfish shoppers invaded the hour reserved for NHS staff.
The shop in Milton, near Cambridge, had to shut its doors and start operating a one-in one-out policy from 10.15am after hundreds of members of the general public started shopping too early and the store quickly became full too capacity.
People queue at a Tesco Extra in Osterley, London, the day after Tesco announced their stores will now have a designated hour for NHS staff to purchase their food shops
More shoppers are expected to flood into stores later while panic buying continues across the country despite warnings from the government and retailers that doing so is harmful to those in need.
Tesco has now removed all of its multi-buy deals and promotions in a bid to put an end to shoppers buying up all essential items.
The retail giant has also hiked prices on 600 products from Diet Coke to tampons. It claimed that the increase in prices were simply in response to the promotions ending.
More than 8,000 items disappeared from Tesco’s website over the past week and the number of fresh food products fell by almost two thirds, according to analysis by The Times.
Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close as the Government announced unprecedented measures to cover the wages of workers who would otherwise lose their jobs due to the coronavirus outbreak
As Covid-19 affects communities across the country, the organisation said the ‘vital services’ still open there are ‘struggling to cope with demand’.
Sine MacKellaig-Davis, chairwoman of Road To The Isles Marketing Group, said: ‘Road To The Isles at this time would normally be marking the opening of the season, coming out of hibernation and preparing to welcome valued visitors from around the country.
‘However, Covid-19 has changed all our lives as we know it. We now face a difficult road ahead and have a social responsibility to protect our communities.’.
She added: ‘For now, we ask you to stay home, care for loved ones and, as soon as it’s safe to do so, the Road to the Isles and its communities and businesses will welcome you.
‘Right now, we need to protect all the people that make the Road to the Isles such a unique and special place.’
Ms Hyslop told BBC’s Sunday Politics Scotland that people heading to the Highlands in campervans or to stay in holiday homes could be putting local communities ‘at risk’.
She said: ‘If they get ill there they will compromise the health or others that are living in the Highlands and Islands.’
She added that emergency legislation being brought in by Westminster would give both the UK and Scottish Governments ‘specific powers’ to help with this.
But she stressed: ‘We’re appealing to people to use their common sense for their safety, the safety of their family and indeed of the vital communities.
‘They will be welcomed back to the Highlands and Islands at some point in the future, just it is impossible right now.’
Similarly, Scotland Office Minister Douglas Ross said the UK and Scottish Governments had both been ‘very clear’ in issuing the message to people: ‘Stay at home, don’t risk yourself and others by going to more remote parts of the country where the NHS will be under pressure, the local shops will be under pressure.’
With the emergency legislation being debated at Westminster on Monday, he added: ‘We shouldn’t need to enforce this, but when this Bill is debated in Parliament the powers will be coming to the Scottish Parliament to deal with this if we have to.’
It comes as yesterday the National Trust made a dramatic U-turn and closed all its parks and gardens – leaving many with no where to go for a Mother’s Day walk today.
In addition West Wittering Beach in Chichester, south-east England, has closed to the public after the number of visitors on Saturday ‘far exceeded’ expectations, the estate owners said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to stay away from their mothers in a break from normal Mother’s Day celebrations.
Doctors warned that a ‘tsunami’ of severely ill patients was about to engulf them, describing near-apocalyptic scenes amid chronic shortages of basic equipment and fears that unprotected medics could either become desperately ill themselves or become carriers and infect others.
As hospitals raced to convert operating theatres into intensive care wards and begged vets to hand over ventilators normally used for pets, Mr Johnson pleaded with the public to reduce social interaction, even with their mothers.
In a powerful letter, he said: ‘Today is Mother’s Day. It is a day when we celebrate the sacrifice and the effort of those who gave us life. Across the country, I know that millions of people will have been preparing to do something special – not just a card, not just flowers.
The Scottish government today said people were irresponsible for travelling to Scotland amid the coronavirus pandemic
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge share adorable Mother’s Day card from George to Kate, as they pay tribute to Carole Middleton and Princess Diana in a touching post – saying they’re thinking of ‘mothers new and old at this difficult time’
Prince William and Kate Middleton have shared a poignant message on Mother’s Day, alongside treasured photos and a card Prince George made for Kate.
Taking to the Kensington Palace Royal Instagram account, the Duke, 37, and Duchess of Cambridge, 38, penned: ‘To mothers new and old and families spending today together and apart – we are thinking of you all at this difficult time. Happy Mother’s Day.’
Taking to the Kensington Palace Royal Instagram account, the Duke, 37, and Duchess of Cambridge, 38, posted a selection of photos to celebrate Mother’s Day. Pictured, Prince William and Kate Middleton with their children in Norfolk
In a heartfelt caption, the couple penned: ‘To mothers new and old and families spending today together and apart – we are thinking of you all at this difficult time. Happy Mother’s Day’
Their images included a previously unseen snap of the duke and duchess giving George, six, and Princess Charlotte, four, a piggyback, one of William and brother Prince Harry as youngsters with their late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and another of Kate as a baby in the arms of her mother, Carole Middleton.
Six-year-old George’s colourful card – an expertly-crafted collage made of card, paint and tissue paper – depicted a yellow vase with three red flowers.
And fans from across the globe were delighted by the touching post – and thanked the royals for sharing during this difficult time.
‘We need more content like this in this difficult time! thank you. sincerely yours, from Indonesian royal watcher,’ wrote one, while a second enthused: ‘3 beautiful and very loving mothers. Happy Mother’s Day to all Mums. I love Prince George’s card. Super cute.’
A third praised: ‘Aww we love all 4 photos! Happy Mother’s Day. Mummies are our super heroes,’ while a fourth added: ‘Oh such a lovely inspiring post – thank you.’
Meanwhile, the royal family shared a black and white image of the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, in 1951 with her mother, Queen Elizabeth, holding on to their hats as they arrived at Westminster Abbey for a wedding.
On Instagram, a message said the royals were thinking of mothers everywhere on what could be ‘a different and difficult day’ as the nation is urged to avoid visiting their parents amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The message read: ‘Mothering Sunday is a chance to thank and celebrate all mothers and caregivers, wherever they may be.
‘Today may be a different and difficult day for those who would usually plan to spend time with their mothers, as we adapt to the necessary changes and disruption to our normal routine and regular patterns of life.
‘But for all Mums everywhere, we are thinking of you, and wish you all a very special Mother’s Day.’
Clarence House wished people a Happy Mother’s Day ‘particularly in a year when families may not be able to be together’.
The post featured an image of a young Prince Charles playing in the Clarence House garden with his mother in 1950.
‘I know that everyone’s strongest instinct is to see their mother in person, to have a meal together, to show them how much you love them.
‘But I am afraid that this Mother’s Day the single best present that we can give – we who owe our mothers so much – is to spare them the risk of catching a very dangerous disease.’
He added: ‘The best thing is to ring her, video call her, Skype her, but to avoid any unnecessary physical contact or proximity. And why? Because if your mother is elderly or vulnerable, then I am afraid all the statistics show that she is much more likely to die from coronavirus… We cannot disguise or sugar coat the threat’.
In his letter, the Prime Minister added: ‘Unless we act together in Britain, unless we make the heroic and collective national effort to slow the spread, then it is all too likely that our own NHS will be similarly overwhelmed.
‘That is why this country has taken the steps that it has, imposing restrictions never seen before either in peace or war. We have closed schools, pubs, bars, restaurants and gyms, and we are asking people to stay and work at home if they possibly can.
‘To help businesses and workers through the crisis, we have come up with unprecedented packages of support. All of this is putting our country, and our society, under enormous strain.
‘But already this crisis is also bringing out the best in us all – in the army of volunteers that has sprung up to help the vulnerable, in the millions of acts of kindness, in the work of all the people who are continuing to provide essential services – from transport workers to supermarket staff to health and social care workers.
‘Yes, this disease is forcing us apart – at least physically. But it is also the crucible in which we are already forging new bonds of togetherness and altruism and sharing. This country will be changed by coronavirus, but there is every reason to think we will come through it stronger and better than ever before.
‘And the more effectively we follow the medical advice, the faster we will bounce back to health – medically and economically.
‘So this Mother’s Day let’s do everything we can to show our respect and love to those who gave us life – and minimise the risk to their own lives.
Bit by bit, day by day, we are all helping to delay the spread of the disease and to give our amazing NHS staff the time to prepare for the peak.
‘So follow the advice, send your love to your mother by phone or video-call. Stay at home, protect our NHS, and together we will save thousands of lives.’
In a chilling reference to Italy, where the death toll rose by 793 yesterday to 4,825, the Prime Minister said that without a ‘heroic and collective national effort to slow the spread’, it was likely that ‘our own NHS will be similarly overwhelmed’.
The UK had 5,018 confirmed cases of Covid-19 by 9am yesterday, up more than 1,000 from the previous day. Officials said almost 73,000 people have been tested for the virus so far.
To combat the threat, the Government yesterday signed a landmark deal with private hospitals to supply an extra 8,000 hospital beds across England, almost 1,200 more ventilators and 20,000 more staff, including 10,000 nurses and more than 700 doctors.
The Government and health officials have also urged the 1.5 million people in England considered most at risk from the disease because of their health conditions to begin ‘shielding’ themselves by staying at home.
Letters will go out this week ‘strongly advising’ them not to go out for at least 12 weeks from Monday.
Meanwhile, the Visit Cornwall tourist board published a statement on Friday asking people to postpone their visits to a later date ‘despite the lack of clarity from Government’ around the situation.
This morning in an interview with BBC Breakfast National Clinical Director for Scotland, professor Jason Leitch also warned against people flooding tourist sites.
He said that UK holiday makers travelling domestically don’t have to cancel plans but must continue to carry out social distancing. He added that healthcare services in the Scottish Highlands and islands are not ready for a huge surge in patients.
He said: ‘What we don’t want is hoards of camper vans coming to Fort William because the health service will not be able to manage that, because some people will get sick.’
In a statement on Saturday, Cumbria Police’s assistant chief constable Andrew Slattery said: ‘Whilst we are looking at all measures to limit the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, I must urge people living outside the county not to visit.
‘A national emergency shut-down of businesses and schools is not an excuse for a holiday.
‘Cumbria County Council yesterday urged people to stay at home as far as possible to protect out NHS and save lives. I reiterate that advice and it is important that we all follow it.’
In a statement, Mr Slattery said public services within the county, located in north-west England, are resourced to serve its population of 500,000 and will be ‘stretched to breaking point’ by the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Large numbers of visitors will only place an additional burden on these hard-pushed professionals,’ he added.
‘These are unprecedented times and our first priority is the protection of life. People’s lives must come first.’
Elsewhere, the West Wittering Estate posted a message on its website to say its beach and car park would be closed as remaining open had ‘encouraged an unacceptable movement of people’ into the local community.
‘We understand that the restrictions imposed by the government make us an attractive option for exercise, dog walking, and socialising, but we cannot in good conscience remain open to the public,’ it said.
The National Trust’s move to shut premises comes just days after they said they would keep many of their gardens and parks open for free allowing people to ‘relax and refresh’.
National Trust director general Hilary McGrady said: ‘Despite our desire to keep our outdoor spaces open, the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and visitors has to be our top priority.
‘Having observed the numbers visiting our properties today I am no longer convinced we can maintain social distancing over Mother’s Day when numbers are likely to grow, and beyond.’
On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close in a bid to impact the infection rate by reducing ‘unnecessary’ social gatherings by 75%.
The coastal town of Whitby, Yorkshire, packed with tourists ignoring the Governments social distancing advice on saturday afternoon
In a statement, the Visit Cornwall website posted: ‘Despite the lack of clarity from the Government, Visit Cornwall is advising that visitors should not come to Cornwall at this time.’
This morning London Mayor Sadiq Khan also told Londoners that they needed to stay in doors to stop people dying.
London is the worst hit city in the UK and Mr Khan today claimed he has been lobbying Boris Johnson’s government in order for stricter measures to be implemented across the capital.
There have been 51 deaths in the capital and 1,221 confirmed cases of the illness.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show this morning, Mr Khan was questioned on whether or not Londoners had understood how serious the situation in the capital currently is.
‘I am clear, life has changed and we have to do things differently for a while now.
‘Social interaction will spread the virus. Do shopping for elderly neighbours, only buy what you need.’
He added that people needed to practice social distancing for their vulnerable loved ones and said if people didn’t then they ‘will die’.
Marr said there had been a clear ‘change in tone’ after the government had initially allowed pubs and restaurants to continue to run before it ordered them to close on Friday night.
‘My frustration with government is that only last Monday they allowed me to attend Cobra, things are worse in London, if we don’t keep our social distance people will die. I’m working from home and others should too.’
Asked whether or not parks and other public places should be closed, Mr Khan said people need to recognise the severity of the situation.
‘I have been lobbying the government.
‘There are instructions and rules we need to obey to stop people dying. Making sure there is no confusion or mixed messages, people should not be leaving their homes unless they have to, they can walk dogs or exercise, but mixing socially leads to more people dying.’
He added that emergency bills that will go through parliament next week will give additional powers to police in order to allow them to enforce stricter rules upon the public and social gatherings.
‘Unless people stay at home and stop using public transport then more people will die.
‘Please stop mixing and stay at home.’
He said public transport should only be used for critical workers and said his office has now implemented an ‘enhanced cleaning regime on all TfL estates’.
‘The advice at the moment is not to give them masks, if the advice changes then of course we will change this. But the NHS still don’t have what they need.
‘Stay at home unless you have good reason to leave your home, it’s important everyone works from home’.
There has been much speculation on whether or not London, a ‘city of super spreaders’ would be locked down due to the rapid spread of the virus.
Mr Khan added: ‘We are a global city, we have connectivity around the country and density. All of us need to follow the advice, we are running a weekend service during the week.
‘No one else apart from critical workers should be using public transport.