What a difference a year makes! 'Stay away' from Skegness plea is enforced
Easter has started quietly in Skegness as pleas to 'stay away' continue.
Just a year ago, the coast was enjoying record temperatures, with thousands of visitors giving businesses an early season boost.
This Easter, the scene is completely different - with shops, arcades, kiosks and caravan parks closed as part of the government lockdown to ease the burden on the NHS during the coronavirus crisis.
Already there have been some reports of people ignoring the pleas, including police turning a family of five breaking the lockdown rules being away at the railway station and the British Transport Police have been brought in to support local officers - just in case.
Officers are also stopping vehicles with registration plates from outside the area.
However, Lincolnshire Police have sent out a message of appreciation to those who are staying home as requested but have asked people to keep on sharing the message.
A statement reads: "If you head into Skegness for a frivolous visit you will be turned back, as visitors travelling in on the A157 and the A52 found - and if you head in by train you will be sent back, as a family of five found.
"Please don't waste your time and money on a trip that cannot happen."
How long this will go on for is still unknown. Assistant director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council Tony McGinty said he expected the country to still be in lockdown after the government’s next review period.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Thursday, said the lockdown would continue across the UK with another review expected at the end of next week.
The latest figures showed 363 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Lincolnshire so far. Some 36 people who have tested positive have died in the county.
Mayor of Skegness Coun Mark Dannatt has also appealed for visitors to stay away in a statement from Skegness Town Council.
"Many of the takeaways that could open have closed to support this," he said. "It is expected the lockdown will go on another week but how long is down to how we behave this weekend.
"Easter is usually a flash in the pan for the season really starts so let's get through this and hope restrictions are lifted soon."