Northumberland County Council leader urges people to ‘do the right thing’ and not travel to local beauty spots

Northumberland County Council confirmed the county’s countryside and coastal hotspots are seeing a large influx of visitors, especially at weekends during the third national lockdown.

There are also reports that some communities are finding it difficult to access their local shops due to visitor numbers rising in the area.

In an effort to encourage people to stay at home, electronic signs have been placed on key roads in Northumberland reminding people of the ‘Essential Travel Only – Stay Local’ message.

Cllr Sanderson said it is vital that everyone follows the regulations set out by the Government to reduce the spread of the virus.

In a statement released on Friday, January 15, he told the county: “We want to thank all of those who are doing their utmost to stick with the guidance and either stay at home or stay very local when they do go out.

“We know it’s difficult and none of us enjoy these restrictions but our hospitals are still under immense pressure supporting increasing numbers of patients becoming seriously ill.

“With the more transmissible variant of the virus now accounting for approximately half of the current cases, it's vital we all follow the regulations at all times.

“Currently people are asked to stay at home except for a few exceptional reasons, including for exercise. However the guidance is clear that people should stay local if they do have to go out, and if they go somewhere that is already busy, turn around and go home.

“We’re doing all we can to reinforce that message, with electronic signs out at key points across the county. We would really ask people to do the right thing. Do they really need to travel any distance to do their exercise or get fresh air?

“We must all continue to stay at home except for the permitted exemptions and avoid mixing with other households, maintain social distancing, hand hygiene and the use of face coverings and do everything we can now to prevent our NHS services from becoming overwhelmed and vulnerable people in our communities from dying.”

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