Official figures assume that around four million tourists visit Cornwall each year. (Representative)
London:
British regions, traditionally desperate for tourists, pleaded on Saturday that people should not visit the coast or the landscape for fear of spreading the corona virus.
Cornwall in the far south west of England has urged people to stay away because it is feared that people living in rural areas could experience a mass exodus from London following the UK government's decision to close large parts of the capital.
Steve Double, Conservative MP for St. Austell and Newquay, tweeted and told Sky TV that people should stay away.
"Please do not travel to Cornwall, we do not want to spread this virus any further," he said in the midst of "endless reports" that people are traveling to the region.
He said such trips could "cost lives".
Double & # 39; s constituency, famous for its surfing, is one of the most visited regions by British holidaymakers.
Official figures assume that around four million tourists visit Cornwall each year.
The tourism agency Visit Cornwall also tried to stop people from going there, saying potential visitors should stay at home "to protect themselves and others".
The Cornwall County Council said people should be aware of the pressure they are exerted by moving to congested local public services.
The UK government has advised against non-essential contacts or travel and ordered the closing of pubs and restaurants on Friday.
However, walks are not forbidden and with the upcoming return of sunny days, many are tempted to get some fresh air on the coast.
Fears that people would move to the countryside in large numbers were triggered by the number of second homes in Cornwall, which the council estimated at around 14,000 addresses.
In Wales, MEP Liz Saville Roberts urged on Twitter that anyone trying to isolate themselves in rural parts of the country should "think again" as this would put additional pressure on health services.
So far, 177 people have died of COVID-19 in the UK, and the number of people diagnosed as infected is approaching 4,000.
(Except for the headline, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and published from a syndicated feed.)
