Coronavirus: People urged to stay away from beauty spots

Police have urged people to avoid popular beauty spots as the lockdown is eased, after crowds gathered at beaches on Monday.

The PSNI say there were 1,000 people at Helen's Bay and Crawfordsburn in County Down, with other coastal areas busy.

Assembly members have also voiced concern at some of the scenes during a debate at Stormont.

One MLA expressed concern at "irresponsible" actions, while another warned against complacency.

In Northern Ireland, groups of up to six people who do not share a household can meet up outdoors, while maintaining social distancing.

Outdoor meetings are allowed as they are associated with a lower risk of transmission of Covid-19.

But the scale of some outdoor gatherings has caused concern.

On Tuesday two further deaths linked to coronavirus were confirmed in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health, bringing the total number of deaths it has recorded to 526.

The department's daily figures are mostly comprised of hospital deaths and where a patient had previously tested positive for the virus.

Four youths were arrested on Friday after police were called to a large gathering on Ballyholme beach in Bangor, County Down.

There have also been reports of gathering at Muckross, near Kesh, in County Fermanagh, where police said young people from outside the area had congregated.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said there would be an increased police presence, including dog patrols, at resorts and key locations such as bus and train stations on Tuesday.

He said their focus would be on dispersing crowds gathering, potentially in breach of regulations, alcohol or drug consumption and road safety - particularly speeding and drink driving.

"I would urge everyone to be mindful of the regulations: each of us has a personal responsibility to follow them and do everything we can to stop the spread of Covid-19," he said.

"We would encourage people not to travel to popular destinations as others could have the same idea, with the result that social distancing might not be achievable."

North Down and Ards PSNI tweeted that people should "use common sense" and stay away from well known tourist and beauty spots.

North Down MLA Andrew Muir said there was "real concern" about the volume of people at Crawfordsburn on Monday.

The Alliance Party representative told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that residents in the area had complained of broken glass, bloodied bandages and people defecating in gardens.

People of all ages had gathered, he said.

"I know the regulations are relaxed but we can't cope with these numbers, there are real health and safety concerns," he said.

There were similar reports in the Mourne Mountains at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Junior Minister Gordon Lyons of the DUP told the assembly on Tuesday the "stupid and irresponsible actions of a few" risk the progress made in tackling the virus.

He also criticised those who have been abusive to police and have been involved in fights.

Sinn Fein's Pat Sheehan warned of a growing misperception among the public that the danger of the coronavirus had passed and he said it was vital to guard against complacency.

But TUV leader Jim Allister raised concerns about the executive's regulations, which he claimed have "failed" because they do not include the key 2m social distancing rule.

The 2m rule is included in the guidelines which accompany the regulations, but is not laid out in the legislation which means it cannot be enforced by the PSNI

Mr Allister said it meant the PSNI was unable to police large gatherings at beaches and beauty spots.

Junior Minister Declan Kearney of Sinn Féin said he understood why some people were frustrated with the pace of the restrictions being eased but appealed for more patience.

He also warned we will not see a "full return to normal living in the short term and we are going to be living with the virus for an extended period of time".