Twitter reacts after dad asks police if he can drive family to South West from London under new lockdown rules
There are fears that people could make their way to the region following changes to lockdown rules
Stephen D'AlbiacContent Editor
This week's changes to lockdown restrictions have left many confused as to what they can and cannot do.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that, from Wednesday, people will be allowed to leave their homes for unlimited exercise and meet friends and family members in public places, as long as they stay two metres apart.
Driving in order to exercise will also be permitted under the changes.
So what about trips to visit family? One man asked that exact question on Twitter – and while the rules may not have been entirely clear, the overriding response from members of the public was, Cornwall Live reports .
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The man, named Stu according to his Twitter profile, asked if he and his family could drive to Cornwall from London to visit family members.
The force did not provide a definitive answer but said it would be updating its advice over the coming days.
Its reply said: "Hi Stu, we will be working through these changes in the coming days and will update our Frequently Asked Questions as soon as possible."
Others, however, were quick to give their opinion on the matter and it seems most are urging people to stay away, for the time being.
One user wrote: "Yeah everyone in the highest infected place in the country come on down to the least infected place in the country thanks."
And to make the point he signed off with a kiss emoji.
Another person said: "That's the problem, southwest has had a very low infection rating, now all these people from the high infected regions are coming to visit us on holidays. Can't wait to see the second wave death figures in 2-3 weeks."
Others pointed out the strain to Cornwall's NHS and the high population of older people.
One person said: "Cornwall... 1 hospital with 1 ITU unit. One of the highest populations of vulnerable people in the UK. There are going to be huge numbers of holidaymakers going down now (there were already reports of an influx over the bank holiday weekend). Stay home, don't overwhelm them."
Another said: "Hi Stu, speaking as someone with vulnerable relatives living in Cornwall with me. We'd really appreciate you not putting our lives at risk by coming on your jolly holiday like we don't matter at all. Thanks, maybe next year."
Some kept it short and sweet and simply said "Stay home".
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Tourism chief says 'stay away'
It comes after Cornwall's head of tourism said he does not want people to needlessly travel to the county as the UK slowly starts to make its way out of lockdown.
Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said: "I don't think it [Mr Johnson's speech] was too helpful – it added more confusion rather than clarity.
"The bottom line though is that we don't want people turning up in Cornwall on Wednesday.
"He said from Wednesday onwards so I am hoping this 50-page document will spell out the limitations on that. I'd hope it would say no travelling of more than 10 miles something along those lines."
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