Wiltshire residents urged to 'stay away' from Dorset this half-term
The coast is usually a popular spot for families
As families look for things to do with their children during the school holiday, we're urged to stay local and not be tempted to Dorset's coast.
With the country still in tightened restrictions as part of the National Lockdown, people must only leave their homes for a limited number of reasons.
This includes to shop for essential items, to go to work if you cannot work from home, to exercise, meet support or childcare bubbles, seek emergency help or attend education or childcare.
James Vaughan is the Chief Constable of Dorset Police said:
“While the number of daily cases continue to fall, over 110,000 people have tragically lost their lives in the UK from COVID-19. We must stick with the rules and not become complacent or lose sight of why these restrictions are in place – to reduce the spread of the disease, protect the NHS and save lives."
“While the legislation allows people to travel locally to carry out their daily exercise with members of their household or one other person, there has been much discussion about what ‘local’ means. The Government states that local means staying within your village, town or city. It does not mean travelling for over 100 miles from out of the county to visit Dorset’s beaches, countryside or beauty spots. This is not within the spirit of the legislation. We know people love to visit Dorset, but trips here will have to wait and we are encouraging people to stay local and explore from their door."
"Disappointingly we have still seen people travelling for over 100 miles to visit our beauty spots. Travelling to stay in second homes or other rentals is also not allowed at this time."
KEY ROUTES INTO DORSET TO BE MONITORED
“Our officers will be continuing their daily patrols on the main arterial routes in and through Dorset, as well as at popular beauty spots, and will be speaking to motorists about their journeys. If people are found to have travelled unnecessarily and in blatant breach of the rules, they could be handed a £200 fine and turned around.”
Between 27 March 2020 and 17 January 2021, Dorset Police issued a total of 1,083 Covid-19 fines for people breaking the law.
During all three national lockdowns more than three-quarters (76.3%) of the total FPNs issued were handed to those living out of the county.
Recent examples of breaches include people travelling from as far away as London to surf off the Dorset coast and five people were fined after driving from Leicester to Lulworth to look at the coastline.
Area Manager Seth Why, of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“We completely understand and would like to encourage the public to get outside with their children this half term, but we also need everyone to respect the guidelines and stay local."
"We’re incredibly fortunate to have some of the most beautiful sites in the country on our doorsteps, but we still shouldn’t be making unnecessary journeys outside our village, town or city. These beauty spots aren’t going anywhere! Explore from your door, protect the NHS, save lives.”