Police move in after "shameful" surge to coastal towns on holiday weekend

Q Radio News

Police closed roads on the North Coast on Sunday night after traffic jams formed as hundreds of people descended on seaside resorts.

There were also reports of a surge in Bank Holiday weekend day-trippers in Newcastle, County Down.

MLA Cara Hunter said residents in Portrush and Portstewart were outraged by what she has described as a shameful influx of visitors during the Covid-19 emergency...

The new SDLP Assembly member for East Derry/Londonderry added: 

“Many local people are worried about the numbers of people and the lax attitude of some to the social distancing rules.

"We want to rebuild our tourism towns and support local businesses but not at the expense of the good work we have all done as a community to suppress this virus. 

"I would urge people who travel and visit these towns that they remember the guidelines and stick to the regulations. 

"This can be a win-win for all: businesses and families wanting time out of the home after the long lockdown, but we must adhere to the rules. They are there to keep us all safe.” 

PSNI closed roads into Portrush tonight - traffic jams, hundreds of people flocked to the seaside resort. @CaraHunterMLA said: “The influx of cars today in the Causeway Coast is absolutely shameful. We cannot become complacent. #COVID19 is still spreading.” 📸 McAuley Multimedia pic.twitter.com/IDz2B0ybqW

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 24, 2020

South Down MLA Colin McGrath said: 

“Over this past weekend with slightly improved weather and the bank holiday, attendance at places such as Newcastle, Portrush and Portstewart has surged. 

"This has pleased businesses with much needed footfall but concerned locals who are unhappy at the large numbers of people who have travelled to the resorts. 

"The rules permit people to visit the towns and the rules permit businesses to re-profile so, for example, cafes and restaurants can become takeaways.  

"However, it is critical that people adhere to the social distancing rules to stop the spread of the virus.”