Why are families still going on holiday?

[EverythingChanges321]

I thought holiday travel was prohibited in the UK?
It seems that the U.K. police are doing nothing to stop hordes of British families boarding ferries in Wales to travel to Ireland for their holidays?

I live in West Cork (similar to Cornwall) and we’re being inundated with holidaymakers treating this as a normal holiday. The car parks to local beaches and parks are officially closed with signs explaining why but it’s made no difference and families are rampaging all over the place.

In the field next to me are some standing stones. My dog went nuts yesterday and I realised there’s a family with their dog traipsing all over the field. The reason I’m assuming they’re Brits is that there’s a U.K. reg car parked in the church car park opposite the field.

1. There is no legal right to roam in Ireland so they’re breaking the law anyway.
2. There’s sheep with new lambs in the field behind.

Our local Garda station (police station) is only open for a few hours on a few days each week so there simply isn’t the manpower to deal with these sorts of activities. Ordinarily, the farmer would just shoot any dogs trespassing on his land so I might have to ring him, although I wouldn’t normally do that, but I think these people are clearly unhinged if they think it’s ok to carry on as if everything is normal.

Holidaymakers using the ferries

I don't understand it either.

Slightly off topic but I was told off on a thread once and called a liar for saying there is no right to roam where I am (N Ireland) along with lots of sarcastic comments about 'poster upthread is claiming it's illegal to go for a walk' and all the laughing faces.

I agree OP. How have they driven to the ferry port without being stopped? Why are the ferry companies carrying them? Why aren't the Garda turning them back at the port?

Does seem odd. Ferry companies should not be taking non-freight bookings surely?

Some could be UK-based Irish people, returning home or for a holiday? In the UK, daytrippers and holidaymakers are still trying - and in some cases succeeding - to get to the National Parks including Snowdonia, the Peak District, the Lakes and other areas, like Devon. In much lower numbers, but unfortunately the Covidiots are still out.

What ferry company are they using? We were booked on Calmac and they are running an essential lifeline service only, all others have been cancelled and refunded.

Police in Skegness were turning people back at the train station this week (which is quite impressive as we don't have huge numbers of police here). It amazes me that some people haven't worked it out yet. I don't even know where they would stay, everything is shut.

Hotels and holiday parks are closed but holiday cottages are likely still open as the owners still want to make money (and pay their mortgage).

I'm meant to be flying out on holiday tomorrow and I'm so disappointed 😭

I live in Wales, police have road blocks out at the end of the M4 and further west and are questioning people to see if their journeys are essential

Is it definitely holiday makers though? The article posted said there were a few U.K. number plated cars on the ferry, but is it proven they were families going on holiday? They may have been workers/other essential travel? The article doesn’t seem to have any confirmation.

Why are they allowed on the ferries in the first place? Surely they should be able to provide proof if they live in Ireland are returning home and if not they shouldn’t be getting on the ferry at all.

Holiday cottages are not taking any bookings where I live (the agencies have shut too) and any previous bookings were cancelled. Only key workers are allowed to stay in them now so they don't possibly infect their families.
So that does beg the question of where the holiday makers are staying? Their own second homes?

I’m amazed the ferries are still running for general passengers. Shouldn’t they be checking people’s addresses when they board to ensure they’re travelling home? Madness.

Hordes of British holiday makers are evidenced by a single UK registered vehicle in the car park.

I think these are home grown idiots

Stena Lines are running from holyhead to Dublin.

People are also holidaying in Wales mind idiots going to Swansea west wales etc I really
Do think some people are completely brain dead or just think it won't happen to them they won't catch the virus

Another thing is half these places they are going to have shit medical care on the best of days let alone during a pandemic seriously it's frightening

We're in the Lake District and the police are at the exit junctions turning people around. They've been doing so all week as well. The other day it was a family of 6 from Wigan getting turned around, yesterday another family got sent back home too.

I'm surprised it's not the same everywhere. The message here is crystal clear - Cumbria is closed. Go home.