The Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership is urging people to continue to take care and respect local communities when spending time outdoors, as COVID-19 restrictions begin to change.
We are asking visitors and local communities to be respectful of each other.
- Plan your visit and check first to see what shops, facilities and food outlets are open. Avoid crowded places;
- Leave no trace of your visit – bring a bag for your litter, and take it home with you to bin or recycle;
- Follow the Countryside Code, keep dogs on leads, stick to public footpaths and leave gates as you find them;
- Do not light barbecues or fires, and take care with cigarettes and other sources of ignition. A tiny spark can cause devastating damage to wildlife and land;
- Think of others, by keeping to current social distancing guidance and avoiding walking near farm buildings and homes where possible;
- Follow safety advice to protect yourself and your loved ones – help reduce the demands placed on lifeboat crews and other emergency services.
- Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitisers when facilities are not available.
- Stay at home if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and keep to the isolation guidance issued by the government.
There will be further changes from 4 July, when hotels, B&Bs, campsites, caravan parks, other self-contained accommodation, pubs, restaurants, attractions, visitor centres and museums are allowed to open indoor and outdoor services, providing safety measures are in place. The new COVID-secure Government guidelines have now been published and our businesses are working hard to make sure they can welcome you safely while keeping their staff safe.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces
Visit Northumberland have created a web page listing attractions which are currently fully or partially open. Please be aware that you may need to book a timed slot for your visit so do get in touch with the attractions directly for full guidance.
It is also a critical time of year for beach nesting birds. A sudden influx of visitors puts the fragile nature of the coast at risk, as well as local communities. Wildlife may also have moved into areas where it hasn’t previously been found. Land managers may have taken action to provide extra protection of wildlife. Be vigilant and follow any signage you see.
We all need to work together to protect the people, the wildlife and the places we cherish. We need to ensure we do not cause harm in order to be able to enjoy them in the future.
