Southend Council is urging visitors to stay away this bank holiday weekend, and asking residents to continue to stay home and stay safe.

Visitors are still being asked to stay away as part of the Don’t Visit Southend campaign which continues to run at this time.

In addition to this

• The Council’s seafront car parks remain closed

• Parking in seafront bays from Leigh to Shoebury is banned

• A traffic order enabling the road to be closed if necessary remains in force

• The Cinder Path, which runs along the seafront from Chalkwell train station to Old Leigh, stays closed

• The Council will continue to monitor all areas of the borough and if any problems arise with social gatherings, the council will work with relevant partners and take appropriate action to protect the general public

• The Council’s community safety officers and parking enforcement officers will be working hard with the police to keep people safe and well across the borough and enforce the seafront parking suspension.

The Don’t stay, take it away campaign has also launched across the county for local businesses, residents and visitors. Under the Covid-19 regulations food outlets can trade as takeaways, but have a responsibility to make sure customers do not congregate outside, even if they do not own the land.

Ian Gilbert, leader of the council, says: “We know there is a lot of talk about relaxation of measures at the current time and we expect further announcements this weekend. But we must deal with the immediate situation and facts, and those are that we are still in a lockdown situation.

“We must stay strong, resolute and not undo all the good work we have done so far. Please take heed of our current advice and do not visit. I would also urge residents to only exercise locally and only visit the seafront if they live in close proximity.

“We will still be here when this is all over and we look forward to welcoming visitors then, but only then.”

Kevin Robinson, councillor for business, culture and tourism, says: “We know that times are tough for people and businesses, but at this time we must continue to stay at home, stay safe and help save lives. We will bounce back and recover strongly, but at the moment we must continue to follow Government advice and stop the spread of Coronavirus.”

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, says: “Thank you to everyone who is doing their bit in the national effort to defeat coronavirus. By following the Government advice you’re helping to ensure our NHS is protected and save lives. I appreciate Bank Holidays can be particularly difficult, but please keep it going and don’t visit Southend this weekend.”