Cumbria’s top cop is urging the public to support the NHS and all emergency services this double bank holiday weekend – by staying home.
Chief Constable Michelle Skeer praised local people across the county for the way they had responded so far to the coronavirus crisis.
She said: “I am very proud of the manner in which the vast majority of Cumbrians have conducted themselves in recent weeks, during this unprecedented public health emergency. The Government has asked us, the public, to make substantial changes to the way we live our lives and in Cumbria, with few exceptions, this message has been heeded and followed.
“However, all of the effort people have demonstrated so far could be undone if the measures put in place to save lives and protect the NHS are ignored this bank holiday weekend.”
The chief constable said officers would be patrolling tourist hot spots like Keswick and the Lake District in general over the Easter weekend to make sure visitors were heeding advice from Cumbria Tourism and other local organisations not to come. “The message has gone out loud and clear from Cumbria that this is not a time for tourists to be travelling to the county.
“My officers will be on patrol, in all areas across the county, particularly in the traditional popular areas and gathering spots. Where they come across people travelling from other areas to spend the bank holiday in Cumbria, or people not following the social distancing guidelines, they will engage with them, explain the guidance and encourage people to go home. Only as a last resort, where reason fails, will enforcement action be taken,” she added.
In a rallying call to local people, the chief constable said: “I urge you to continue to stay home to save lives, continue to follow the guidance, only leave your home if it is essential and when exercising. The purpose of the restrictions is to save the lives of people in our community and to save the lives of medical professionals caring for those in our local hospitals.
“We are grateful for all the public support that we have been given in recent weeks – these really are challenging times and as a community we are all doing our bit. The greatest support you can give those who continue to keep you safe, and particularly the NHS, is to stay at home.”
