Easter warning as Brits urged to wear facemasks on popular UK beaches after spike in Covid cases

BRITS are being urged to wear face masks on some of the UK's most popular beaches as they soak up the Easter sun.

A spike in Covid cases in Cornwall and Lincolnshire holiday hotspots has pushed councils to recommend covering up while outside.

Beachgoers have also been advised to revert to social distancing on the sand and pebbles where possible over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

And as temperatures surpass 22C, families should also wash their hands frequently because the virus "has not disappeared".

Coastal resorts in the counties, such as Skegness, Mablethorpe, St Ives and Perranporth, have seen an influx of tourists and local families, sparking fears the number of coronavirus cases will shoot up.

In response, Cornwall Council asked people to extra care.

A spokesperson said visitors should "wash their hands, wear a face covering where you can and keep your distance in crowded places this Easter".

They also urged anyone who feels unwell to stay at home.

"With Covid cases high across Cornwall, we're asking everyone to take extra care this Easter and keep doing your bit to help stop the spread," they added.

Visitors to the Lincolnshire coast have been given similar guidance.

Craig Leyland, the head of East Lindsey District Council, said masks should be worn in crowded areas and people should continue to wash their hands regularly.

He told BBC Look North: "We want to welcome people to our fantastic coast and Wolds, and all the other attractions we have, but we are just asking people to make sure the virus isn't spread unnecessarily.

"It is extremely important that we all continue to follow this guidance to help keep ourselves and others safe."

A spokesperson from Public Health Lincolnshire said "Covid is still with us" and visitors should take "personal responsibility".

The advice contracts Boris Johnson's "living with Covid" plan which saw an end to most restrictions - including mask wearing - and pushed life back to normal.

And it doesn't take into account the huge success of the UK's vaccine roll-out, which has protected millions of Brits and saved countless lives.

According to official data, 2,335 tested positive for Covid across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly between April 8 and April 14.

And as of April 12, there were 95 patients in local hospitals with the virus.

In Lincolnshire, the case rate as of the last count was 474 per 100,000 people.

Both sets of data are down on the previous week's figures, in line with national totals.

In the week ending April 9, one in 15 people had Covid-19, down from one in 13 the week before.

Experts now believe things are "plateauing".