BRITONS will enjoy their first taste of lockdown freedom this weekend by heading to the great outdoors with forecasters predicting glorious weather.
But with an estimated 15 million drivers set to hit the roads, people were last night warned to stick to social distancing guidelines to prevent another rise in coronavirus cases. Temperatures in parts of the country are expected to reach 70F (21C) to coincide with the easing of restrictions as the Government tries to get the country’s economy moving again. It could bring record numbers out to sunbathe in parks or travel to beauty spots and coastal resorts for the first time since the start of the coronavirus crisis.
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Others will take advantage of the opening up of garden centres and cafes offering takeaways as well as golf courses and tennis courts.
The Government has repeatedly urged Britons to use common sense when heading outdoors, and restrictions still apply for meeting up with family and friends.
But there were fresh fears yesterday that the great getaway this weekend, after two months of lockdown, could risk a new spike in cases.
With the RAC estimating 15 million leisure trips being made by car in the UK this weekend, it could prove the ultimate test over whether Britain is ready yet to beat the virus. The figure would represent a huge increase in road trips after traffic levels plunged by up to 75 percent at the start of the lockdown.
Tourist officials and local authorities urged families to avoid popular beauty spots and coastal resorts.
A poll by the RAC found that 46 percent of people planned to take a leisure trip this weekend.
It comes as meteorologists said the sunny weekend weather could signal the start of a mini-heatwave with temperatures set to rise to 79F by the middle of next week in parts of the country.
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Under Boris Johnson’s “road map” for getting the nation out of the coronavirus lockdown, restrictions were eased this week, allowing for day trips outdoors and unrestricted car journeys for recreation or exercise in England. But authorities responsible for beauty spots, including the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, have expressed concern about the prospect of visitors returning in large numbers. Lake District National Park Authority chief executive Richard Leafe said: “For now, we’re asking people not to rush back to the Lake District.
“Help protect our communities, the fells will still be here when this passes.”
Leaders of England’s councils covering rural and coastal areas have also urged the public to “think twice” before travelling to country parks and beaches.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s chief executive David Butterworth has said the Government’s approach to reopening the countryside was not one it had advocated. The Woodland Trust is also encouraging people to “stay local” to enjoy nature this weekend.
It comes as figures show that new coronavirus infections are now growing at a faster pace in rural areas compared with London and other cities.
Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale is among those who have urged visitors to stay away from coastal towns.
Sir Roger, whose constituency includes the seaside towns of Margate and Herne Bay in Kent, said there should be “baby steps” back to normality rather than a “leap in the dark.
He said: “Get this wrong and we could be worse than right back where we started.
“Get it right and we could be back in business in time for the real summer holidays.”
Sussex Police told people to “do the right thing” by avoiding popular Brighton Beach this weekend.
Normally at this time of year we’d be about to hit the beach. We’d be just eight weeks away from sipping the sangria or rose somewhere in the Med.
Yet our plans are on hold and looking bleak – or are they? I’m pleased to say that, despite the gloom, there are many signs of life in the travel sector and we will be able to get away.
Firstly, holiday homeowners and hotels are preparing for the magical date of July 4. Known as Freedom Day by hoteliers, the hospitality sector should be able to open up, subject to social distancing measures.
Bookings are already increasing for holiday homes and cottage rentals in the Cotswolds, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. Consumers are choosing space and privacy to celebrate their end of lockdown.
When the Foreign Office relaxes its “non-essential” travel advice you’ll see a rush for rentals in France, Greece, Spain and even Italy in August.
There will be fewer flights but there’s plenty of pent-up demand to fly short-haul to Europe. We are desperate to see family and friends again. Citybreaks will be out, but beach holidays will be in.
Great-value prices will draw us back. Up to 20 percent of available seats will be at bargain prices to tempt us back.
Even cruiselines are preparing to put low-cost suites on the market for the late summer at short notice.
The economics consultancy CEBR estimates some £20billion has been saved by UK consumers in the past eight weeks and is sitting in bank accounts waiting to be spent.
Freedom Day can’t come soon enough.
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