"No need to come to Scarborough" - Our readers react to the news public can travel as far as they like from tomorrow

The piece shared the concerns of Scarborough Council following the announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that from Wednesday people would now be allowed to travel as far as they liked to visit other places.

Scarborough Council deputy leader Cllr Liz Colling said: “I would have liked to hear the PM say ‘yes, please travel for exercise but don’t go more than five miles from your front door’."

"People have to remember that there are no public toilets open, there are no cafes open, the car parks are not open.

“If you want to come and see the scenery then do so, then go home again."

Our readers shared their concerns over a potential influx of visitors from outside the town.

Jayne Smith said: "Keep away. Stay away this virus has not gone away no need to go to [the] seaside."

Gary Paterson said: "We are booked up in June but not even sure if the hotel is reopening, or cafes restaurants amusements etc.

"Sad because we have already had to cancel from April but without a doubt I understand the people of Scarborough not wanting people visiting at this time. Everyones health comes first."

Kevin Lavender added: "Cllr Colling is correct, there should have been a proviso of travel for exercise but within a certain radius of your primary residence.

"There’s no need for someone from Bradford or Sheffield or anywhere else to come to Scarborough Borough at this present time."

Gillian Findlay wrote: "Even though I have a rental property I would rather it closed than risk anyones health. Please stay at home, don't listen to Boris he won't be anywhere near when you are sick. Stay away. Stay safe."

Several people from outside the town also agreed with the article.

Michelle Brown said: "I love Scarborough and come every year but I won’t come until it’s really safe to do so and that probably won’t be this year."

Tracy Wale said: "I feel sorry for the Scarborians, the place is going to get swamped and that's just not on!

"Scarborough is more or less my second home and I miss it dearly, but will not be coming in the near future."

Wendy Cummings wrote: "I so want to visit but won't until it's safe to do so. My favourite place needs to be kept safe. Stay home."

However, not everyone agreed.

Amanda Johnson wrote: "People don't go for the bars, the cafes, the shops. If they are going for exercise reasons and the sea air they will be going for a walk on the beach making sure they don't go near any people. If people are going in the hope places are open then they are stupid."

Wayne Murray added: "You cannot tell people not to come when the country's prime minister has said they can. We still need tourism when all this is over."

Hayley Norton-Hunter said: "People can travel to Scarborough if they so wish, but they are still going to be sticking to the social distancing guidelines. So if they stay 2 metres away from you then you will be fine.

"I can’t see loads of people travelling here anyway when there’s nothing open and also they are too dealing with the pandemic, everyone’s talking like Scarborough is the only town affected.

"The whole country is worried so If your not thinking of getting in your car and travelling somewhere to exercise then it’s quite possible that people from other towns and cities are thinking the same."

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