Shocking photos emerge as tourists ignore coronavirus warnings
People have been pictured once again crowding England’s beaches and ignoring social distancing orders during an extreme heatwave.
Temperatures widely exceeded 30 degrees for much of England and parts of Wales on Friday with similar temperatures expected over the weekend.
Heathrow and Kew Gardens, Greater London, had their hottest days since 2003 as it reached 36.4C.
In Bournemouth, a coastal town in England’s southeast, it reached 31 on Friday and remained a sweltering 27 at 6pm (local time).
Images of people crowding Bournemouth’s beaches made news around the world in June amid the coronavirus crisis.
Similar scenes were captured again on Friday, with people packing out the beach.
Such was the size of the crowds, an app developed by Thanet Council, in Kent, warned people from going to the beach, according to The Metro.
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One woman, who had children with her, told Sky News the Bournemouth beach was “far too busy” and she was conscious of social distancing.
“And people just kept coming and getting closer,” she said.
Another added “it felt very unsafe” while others simply lapped up the sun in the blistering heat.
“I think it’s the best holiday destination,” another woman told Sky News.
On Twitter, people were dumbstruck as to why the beach was packed during a pandemic.
“Why can’t people understand that if a place is busy don’t go?” one woman tweeted.
“That’s partly the reason cases have gone up because people don’t care anymore.”
Another added she felt sorry for Bournemouth residents.
England’s south and southwest is currently under level three heatwave orders, according to the Met Office.
There are four levels in total with the fourth a “national emergency”.
Level three was issued on Tuesday, and means the area has recorded “a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold”.
That temperature varies based on counties.
Ishani Kar-Purkayastha, consultant in public health at Public Health England, said some people may find the conditions hard to cope with.
“Many of us welcome warmer weather, but some people may find it more difficult to cope,” she said.
“People recovering from COVID-19 at home, those who are self-isolating, older people and people with underlying health conditions are all more vulnerable during hot weather.”
Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said it’s likely the heatwave will continue into next week.
Night temperatures could also break records, he said.
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