Government’s ‘mixed messages’ cause chaos as people flock to beaches ahead of lockdown easing


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People have flocked to beaches and train stations to enjoy the sunny weather ahead of lockdown restrictions being eased on 1 June.

Hundreds swarmed to popular beaches, and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) warned that “mixed messages” from the government has caused travel chaos.

Temperatures have soared well above the average for the time of year, with clear skies and highs of 28C on Saturday, according to the Met Office.

Many people enjoyed the sunny weather on the coast by Durdle Door, near Lulworth in Dorset, despite police forces urging the public to “think twice” before travelling to crowded spots.

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Southend-on-Sea
People enjoying the good weather on the beach at Southend-on-Sea (PA)

Dorset Police said on 29 May: “Relaxation of lockdown legislation, coupled with warm and sunny weather, has seen a huge rise in the number of people travelling into Dorset to spend time at beauty spots, nature reserves and coastline.

“As the country continues to fight Covid-19 and keep the R rate (an infection measure) down, the public is being asked to take responsibility for their actions and do the right thing to avoid spreading the virus and reduce the impact on local communities.”

Similar scenes were seen in around England:

RMT union leaders described Bournemouth as “the eye of the storm”:

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The hopeless mixed messaging from the government and the impact of the (Dominic) Cummings affair has resulted in predictable chaos on the railway today, with Bournemouth at the eye of the storm.

“This is on Boris Johnson and he cannot shirk responsibility.

“RMT has warned that lifting the lockdown too quickly would soon result in chaos on our transport services, and here you have it.

“This union will take whatever action is required to protect the health, safety and livelihoods of our members.”

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  • Show Comments

    2. This is par for the course. The ‘Cummings effect’ is a natural result of these inept Tory clowns
      who have racked up 65,000+ deaths by the end of May. It will get much worse but as the sheep flock to beaches, etc, the Tories are busy restructuring the economy to favour big businesses. M & S businesses will fail & the Amazons, etc, will take over…..the Tory job is done.

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    3. Anyone, surely, with an ounce of ‘common sense’ while we all know a deadly contagion is at large amongst us, and whatever flavour of government is operating which advises us to self-distance notwithstanding any government having ‘a Cummings’ for us to obsess about, we only have ourselves to blame when the virus’s killing spree gathers apace once more? I mean – for heaven’s sake – do these beach flockers have not a single brain cell?

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