‘Don’t make plans to visit Lincolnshire coast for Easter’

Council bosses have urged people not to visit the Lincolnshire coast during Easter while the coronavirus lockdown is still in effect.

The holiday is one of the busiest periods of the year for the authority with around three million people visiting the area in 2019.

But now, the council is discouraging those thinking of visiting from doing so as part of measures to combat COVID-19.

East Lindsey District Council leaders have also announced the closure of the authority’s main tourism car parks as part of measures to combat the virus.

Portfolio Holder for the Coastal Economy at East Lindsey District Council Steve Kirk. Photo: ELDC

Despite a rocky start to the “stay at home” measures, which saw thousands of tourists continue to descend on places like Skegness and Mablethorpe, council bosses say the East coast has seen a “huge reduction” in visitors in recent weeks.

Councillor Steve Kirk, Portfolio Holder for Coastal Economy at the council, said the steps were “wholly necessary”.

“We want to keep those would-be visitors and our residents safe and the best way we can do that is by encouraging people to stay at home.

“The threat posed by the coronavirus is incredibly high and, and as much as we love people visiting our district it’s not worth the risk of getting ill and spreading this virus further.

“Visitors help make our district the fabulous place that it is, so of course, when it’s safe to travel again, we’d be delighted to see people here in East Lindsey.”

Local businesses, including accommodation providers and attractions, are also being reminded to remain closed in-line with Government closures.

Officials from Visit Lincoln, Lincolnshire County Council and accountants Duncan and Toplis, recently said billions of pounds could be “wiped out” as a result of the virus.

Councillor Colin Davie, executive member for economy at Lincolnshire County Council. Picture: Daniel Jaines.

But Councillor Colin Davie, executive member for economy and place at Lincolnshire County Council, said there was “no reason” why the county would not return better from the pandemic.

East Lindsey District Council has continued to receive applications for holiday and caravan park expansions even in the current lockdown conditions.

In Greater Lincolnshire, tourism generated an estimated £2.4 billion last year with 2.1 million people visiting the county in the summer and spring.

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