Thousands flocked to the nation’s beaches amidst heatwave.
A heatwave has hit the UK, with temperatures jumping north of 30ºC. But along with that has come some pretty heated controversy. Just like the last streak of good weather, the heat saw many take to the waters and pack out the nation’s beaches (including Blackpool), despite heavy social-distancing measures still being in place. (Featured image: @d.buhalis)
Scenes have led to the government declaring a “major incident” and issuing public warnings. Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that beaches may have to close if crowds do not refrain from filling up the spaces, making it impossible to social distance.
Speaking to Talk Radio, he said: “We do have that power. I am reluctant to use it because people have had a pretty tough lockdown and I want everybody to be able to enjoy the sunshine.
“But the key is to do it with respect for the rules – stay with your household, stay a good distance from other households. But we do have those powers and if we see a spike in the number of cases then we will take action.”
Boris Johnson then warned that the UK could face further lockdowns if the public doesn’t abide by social-distancing laws.
And it’s also safe to say, upon viewing the pictures of crowded beaches, that the internet had things to say about it.
12 tonnes of rubbish left on Bournemouth beach yesterday. People had even defecated in burger boxes & left on beach. We are creating a pandemic & pollution hell on Earth #Covid19UK #plasticpollution pic.twitter.com/FoYcvligF1
— dominic dyer (@domdyer70) June 25, 2020
Many feel the government have opened restrictions too early, setting a precedent for people not to be mindful of the disease we all still have to face. Others feel people are entitled to enjoy what they can over summer after being locked down for months. Here is what the internet had to say, particularly about the shocking scenes from Bournemouth beach.
UK has 5th highest no. of #coronavirus #covid19 cases, 3rd highest no. of deaths, 7th highest no. of new deaths, yet vast swarms of #covidiots are descending on beaches like locusts. I am still hunkered down at home, like I have been all along. #STAYatHOME pic.twitter.com/xsJTPgSi44
— 🎹 Franz Schubert 🇿 (@fluoresenz) June 25, 2020
Bournemouth beach today – This is what happens when you have a totally inept and incompetent government. Video by @AndyMatthews_PA pic.twitter.com/DdQgNgNoe3
— Lightacandle Tweets (@lightacandleOTM) June 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/BevanShields/status/1275900523783360515
WHO – I mean WHO leaves a place of beauty LIKE THIS 😢This is Formby Beach yesterday – If you bring it to the beach – just take it home – what a gang of scruffs to leave public spaces in such a disgusting state – SHAME ON YOU if you did this pic.twitter.com/PSQBRuY4up
— Carolyn Hughes PR (@CarolynPR) June 1, 2020
How it looked on Blackpool beach as sunbathers enjoyed hottest day of year. I blame the government once again they got it all wrong. Its been chaos all over England's beaches. They should have held off the distancing rules and travel bans until everyone was back at work pic.twitter.com/QyGA6eSKkV
— Gina Spence (@GinaSpenceHardi) June 25, 2020
Cause. Effect. pic.twitter.com/bFNyI87oce
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) June 24, 2020
I mean, this is just UNBELIEVABLE behaviour! Come, on Britain…
This was taken on Bournemouth beach yesterday afternoon. What the hell is wrong with people? pic.twitter.com/BodoQVxLpm
— Jason (@NickMotown) June 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/CY25_Skip/status/1275849472518557696
Russ has got the right idea. I’d say we should team up to create Secret Cornwall, but I think we’ll leave you in peace…