George Eustice, the environment secretary, has said that the government is reluctant to close beaches following the declaration of a major incident in Bournemouth when thousands visited the coast this week.
Eustice said that people need to observe coronavirus guidelines and continue to cooperate with the government. Matt Hancock has said that beaches may be closed by the government if the rate of infection continues to rise.
Eustice and Hancock’s comments followed Profess Chris Whitty’s warning that Covid-19 "will rise again" if the current rules are flouted.
Eustice made clear that the government does “have the powers to go back in and act", however, he continued that: "We don't want to do that and we will be very reluctant to do so".
The environment secretary said that: "We are appealing to everyone who does decide to go to the beach to observe that social distancing and stay within their family.”
He continued that: "We just have to recognise yesterday was the hottest day of the year, incredibly hot, a lot of people had the same idea, they all went to the beach, and yes of course those scenes at Bournemouth are a matter for concern.
"The British weather being what it is maybe that will be short-lived and people will return to the type of social distancing they've actually demonstrated quite well."
On Thursday, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said that the beach was "stretched to the absolute hilt" with members of the general public gridlocking roads, camping overnight and fighting.
Tory MP for Bournemouth East, Tobias Ellwood said that: "We need to learn from this and recognise that if we're going to be serious about tackling this pandemic then we need to be swifter in being able to provide support to local authorities that are unable to cope.”
