Don't visit yet - the message from an English seaside resort
John Bevir in Weston-super-Mare

Translating...

Content is automatically generated by Microsoft Azure Translator Text API. CGTN is not responsible for any of the translations.

Error loading player: No playable sources found
01:59

With good weather and a public holiday, thousands have taken to beaches and beauty spots across England.

It has been the first real test of whether people are adhering to social distancing measures set out by the government. Everyone is being asked to keep two meters apart from those not in their household.

But as places get busier, sticking to the rules becomes difficult, if not impossible.

Weston-super-Mare is one of the most popular destinations in South West England. Thousands flocked there on Monday to make the most of the sunshine. But as the beach filled up, the town's hospital closed its doors. Weston General is not admitting new patients. 

Weston General in Weston-super-Mare is not admitting new patients as a "a precautionary measure in order to maintain the safety of staff and patients in response to the high number of patients with Coronavirus in the hospital." John Bevir / CGTN Europe

Weston General in Weston-super-Mare is not admitting new patients as a "a precautionary measure in order to maintain the safety of staff and patients in response to the high number of patients with Coronavirus in the hospital." John Bevir / CGTN Europe

"A precautionary measure in order to maintain the safety of staff and patients in response to the high number of patients with Coronavirus in the hospital," was the message from the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

Officials in the town are sending a clear message: they do not want people to visit, yet. The tourism body has been renamed Don't Visit Weston, and the mayor, Councillor Mark Canniford, gave this stark message when speaking to CGTN Europe: "We can't keep you safe in Weston at the moment. 

"There are too many people wanting to visit. We're saying, stay safe, stay away. Come back later in the year when this pandemic is under control and you can have a good time. There are no facilities for you to use, it isn't going to be the best day out."

Visitors are now legally allowed to travel long distances in England to spend time outdoors. And people are making the most of that new found freedom. Brighton Beach on the south coast, and Ruislip Lido just outside London were both very busy on Bank Holiday Monday. 

Some of those on the front line against the virus are deeply concerned by what they are seeing. 

"This really scares me," said Dr Gero Baiarda, a general practitioner. "I think this will lead to a fresh spike of the pandemic. People are very much at risk." 

"People are still going to be admitted to hospital very ill, young people as well, and some of those people are going to die. And all these deaths are preventable. If you don't catch the virus, you're not going to die with it."

England is now entering a critical time. Lockdown measures were eased almost two weeks ago, which is how long it can take for people to develop the coronavirus symptoms. In the coming days, all eyes will be on infection rates, and subsequently, whether or not lockdown should be eased further.