The temperature climbed to 23C and the day-long sunshine brought out couples, individuals and families on the first day of the Easter weekend.
Most were content to walk on the beach, others went swimming in the sea, both of which are permitted, but some were sunbathing regardless of the reminder from Guernsey Police that sunbathing is not exercise and was not one of the four reasons for which you are allowed to leave the house for a maximum of two hours a day.
Guernsey Police had said they would send people home who were found to be sunbathing publicly. However, at the La Vallette bathing pools, several people had been doing so for more than two hours.
Others who had stuck to the rules and had gone out for two hours of permitted exercise condemned those who were flouting the rules, including James Cook, who said they should not be out.
‘I don’t think it is covered,’ he said.
‘And although I’ve only seen a couple, I think if they’re not exercising they shouldn’t be doing it.
‘A part of me understands that not everyone has the space at home to be able to go out and just simply enjoy the sun, which is good for people’s mental health, but the restrictions are in place for a reason and we should follow them to keep each other safe.’
Su Laraman agreed and said it simply was not exercise.
Another, Amy Shepherd, criticised those who had come out only to sunbathe.
‘It is quite bad,’ she said.
‘People get sick from coming into contact with others. We should be helping each other by staying inside for something that is not essential.’
A Guernsey Police spokesman said that is was essential that people heeded the warning in order to flatten the curve and save lives.
‘Sunbathing is not essential, nor is it exercise,’ the spokesman said.
‘Getting a tan is not as important as saving lives.
‘If you’re out sunbathing, we’re going to tell you to leave.
‘This is the fight against coronavirus. Play your part.’
Officers engaged with multiple people on beaches to explain the public health guidance and the Head of Law Enforcement issued warnings at Thursday’s press conference.
A Met office spokesman said today would be cooler at 20C, dropping further to a still bright yet cloudy 14C tomorrow with a chance of mist.
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