'Please stay away' plea as Harrogate officials call for sensible coronavirus attitude from visitors

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday outlined his “first sketch of a roadmap” for the gradual lifting of the lockdown measures, including the new rules which allow people to travel for unlimited exercise.

But tourism body Visit Harrogate has warned that the district’s rural setting could put it at risk, claiming “the very things that make the district so special also make it vulnerable to the consequences of COVID-19”

It added: “As we move forward through these unprecedented times, we must do so with common sense and caution. We welcome the path to recovery, but we are also asking visitors to the region not to travel to the Harrogate district unnecessarily for leisure, as we do not have the capacity to support and welcome them at this time.”

And officials including MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough Andrew Jones, Harrogate Borough Council leader Coun Richard Cooper and Police, Crime and Fire Commissioner Julia Mulligan have taken a similar stance on accepting visitors to the area.

Coun Cooper said the new guidelines, which mean people in England can drive anywhere in the country as long as they keep two metres apart from people not in their household, should not be seen as an invitation for people to flock to the district’s parks and beauty spots.

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He said: “If people come to the district to exercise or be outdoors and find they cannot do so without breaking social distancing rules then they simply need to go somewhere else.

“We are blessed in our district to have many outstanding and award-winning open spaces which attract people to all parts of our area. But that fact does not mean people can simply discard the rules and throw common sense to one side.”

Mr Jones said the new rules do not mean that “the job is done” and warned that people must still take care when it comes to social-distancing.

He added: “People are still getting infected and dying in the tragedies we learn about every day. That is why we have to stay alert. There is no room for complacency.”

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And the message has been reiterated by major tourist attractions across the area, including Brimham Rocks, which remains closed and the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which released a statement this week urging people to be responsible.