Coronavirus sun worshippers flout lockdown rules to buy ice creams and hit the beach in 25C scorcher – The Sun

BRITS are flouting the coronavirus lockdown today to buy ice creams and hit the beach on the hottest day of the year.

Good Friday’s warm weather has proven to be too tempting for some who have ignored lockdown rules to flock to the beach and bask in the sun.

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Photos have emerged of dozens of people sunbathing, some in large groups, despite repeated warnings from authorities not to do so.

And in a video taken on Brighton beach, resident Beckie Eaves said she saw “hundreds of people” flock to the beach to make the most of the weather.

It comes as:

  • Cops patrolled supermarket aisles to snoop on trolleys despite Priti Patel slapping down the idea
  • Boris Johnson’s dad Stanley said his son ‘almost took one for the team’ in coronavirus battle
  • Ministers were no closer to revealing the UK’s exit strategy from lockdown
  • Shoppers queued from dawn at supermarkets to panic-buy before Easter Sunday

Temperatures over the weekend are among the warmest recorded so far this year.

The mercury hit 21C by lunchtime in London and the south east — and is set to reach 25C later.

But the public has been urged by authorities not to be tempted to flout the rules and be out of their homes for longer than necessary.

As temperatures this weekend look set to hit 24C in part of the country — police have warned people not to use the weather as an excuse to break the lockdown rules.

People who drive to the beach or have a picnic could be fined up to £960 or even be arrested.

While it is okay to visit your nearby beach to exercise or walk across, anyone travelling further than their local area or visiting to sit or meet in large groups are breaking the law.

Elsewhere, park-users have been seen tearing down “do not use” signs on an outdoor gym — ignoring safety warnings so they could workout in the sunshine.

Red-and-white warning tape was wrapped around exercise stations telling people not to use them because of coronavirus dangers. But the tape was ripped so the foolish fitness fans could do their with pull-ups, sit-ups and dips at Roath Park — and police had to be called to stop them.

Current rules mean police are able to issue £60 fines on-the-spot for anyone breaking the rules.

This can be reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

However, repeat offenders will face much steeper charges, with the fine doubling to £120 for a second offence, and continuing to double up to £960.

Anyone who refuses to give their name and address to avoid being fined could face arrest.

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Meanwhile, in Bournemouth, the beach was eerily empty as Dorest Police urged people to stay at home with the beach is closed to sunseekers.

Chief Constable James Vaughan, of Dorset Police, said: “Like other tourist areas, Dorset is currently closed to visitors while we do all we can to stop the spread of the terrible virus.

In a chilling comparrisson, Bournemouth’s idyllic sandy beach was packed with full of people last year, compared to none today.

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