‘Turn around and f**k off’: Locals at tourist destination tell visitors amid COVID-19

Popular heritage coast in Cornwall, United Kingdom (INQUIRER.net Stock Photo)

Some locals at Cornwall in the United Kingdom are apparently less than enthusiastic to welcome tourists in their area while the new coronavirus continues to spread in the country and around the world.

Three people stood on a main road bridge in the area with a sign stating: “Turn around and f**k off!” The Cornishman reported last Sunday, July 5. The sign came after the county began welcoming vacationers back in the area to boost its economy amid the pandemic.

Cornwall’s tourism chief, Malcolm Bell, condemned the three individuals’ action.

“I don’t like to see signs like the one we saw on the A30 yesterday,” Bell was quoted as saying. “It is being offensive to a large group of people.”

“I find it unforgivable,” he added. “It’s accusing people before they even arrive.”

Bell said that the Visit Cornwall tourist board is battling to save thousands of jobs in the area.

“Let’s welcome our customers, who will share their money to keep Cornish people in jobs,” he said in the report.

The tourism chief previously said that if tourists were to fall ill with COVID-19 while staying in the county, they will not be allowed to return home unless they can travel using their own vehicle. These vacationers will then have to stay and pay for their accommodation for 14 days while they are in isolation, The Cornishman reported on July 3.

“If they can’t travel back safely using their car they will have to pay for their 14 days in isolation,” Bell said. “We have to make that clear as the business will be losing trade.”

Around 75,000 to 80,000 visitors are expected to arrive in Cornwall, as per the report. Bell said that this is 30% fewer than its usual number of tourists at this time of the year. Cha Lino /ra

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