These are uncertain times which are difficult for us all to deal with. Yesterday I spoke to many businesses who were grappling with balancing the best for their customers, staff and business. Following the Chancellor’s announcement many of our best-known hotels and holiday parks took the difficult to decision to close last night. I very much hope that other tourist and leisure businesses will follow their lead and not encourage more visitors to North Devon at this difficult time.
Whilst pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and cafes were left with no option but to close, I recognise it is difficult for businesses that have to take the decision themselves. We must “Stay at Home … Protect the NHS … Save Lives” and this should influence your decision. This does not mean stay in a holiday home or indulge in non-essential travel with your motorhome or caravan.
Our fantastic North Devon District Hospital simply does not have sufficient critical care facilities to deal with any significant changes in population numbers.
I would like to reassure everyone here in North Devon that I am working tirelessly to address this. In the past 24 hours I have been in touch with our Council Leaders, Ministers and Number Ten to see what can be done to stop visitors to us at this time.
I very much hope anyone even thinking about coming to North Devon makes the right decision and doesn’t. Right now I urge you to #StaySafeStayHome. I also hope that holiday parks and campsites that are still open use the extensive new support detailed by the Chancellor last night to enable them to take the right decision and close their doors to protect our NHS and Save Lives.
These are unprecedented times, and I know we will welcome our visitors with open arms as soon as we can, but unfortunately, that time is not now.
