Cornwall has been beset by ‘rude’ and ‘ignorant’ holidaymakers who refuse to wear masks and obey social distancing rules as thousands of staycationers flock to Britain’s coastlines.
Exasperated holiday park receptionist Beth Richards penned an open letter to rude revellers after she was called ‘stupid, idiotic or a b****’ for telling them to book a slot for the swimming pool or wear a mask in the shop.
She said their attitude was so bad she often cried in the staff room.
The easing of lockdown restrictions – and introduction of quarantine for various foreign arrivals – has sparked a staycation boom in recent weeks, leading to an influx of visitors to Britain’s coastal resorts.
But weary locals said ‘rude’ and ‘ignorant’ holidaymakers have left them ‘shaken’ – with some even saying they need to ‘go home’.
Cornwall resident Karen told MailOnline that ‘mindless’ staycationers have left their used masks and gloves discarded across her picturesque Cornish village.
She said: ‘When I recently asked staycationers (who were strung out across the road and path blocking my way) to kindly give way – I have shielded since March – I was told: “Oh shut up, we’ve come down here to get away from all that b******* – we’re on holiday”.
‘Others have left masks, gloves and other PPE all over the village and seem hell bent on breaking all the rules saying we (locals) are making a fuss about nothing.
‘Seriously, this is the kind of threatening behaviour we are facing. We have one hospital in Cornwall that simply will not be able to cope with the inevitable massive outbreak that this kind of behavior will cause.
‘I’ve now taken to going out very late at night or before sun up to avoid them (as have a lot of villagers). Other than that, I am staying indoors as I don’t feel safe out there at all. Such selfish mindless idiots. They should all be sent home.’
Receptionist Beth Richards (pictured) wrote an open letter to tourists asking them to be kind and remember that ‘staff are human too’
She revealed that people would react so rudely to her when she tried to enforce social distancing rules that she would cry in the staff room
In her letter Miss Richards addressed people who have said Cornwall is invincible to to coronavirus by telling them that ‘no one is immune’.
Have you experienced abuse from staycationers?
Email jemma.carr@mailonline.co.uk
She said she has been left ‘totally defeated’ by the abuse she experienced and reminded people they are lucky to be able to go on holiday at all.
Many flocked to support Miss Richard’s story, saying they too experienced abuse at the hands of visitors.
Sarah Stringer wrote: ‘I’ve lived in Cornwall nine years and never experienced such rudeness from visitors before! How would they feel if half the country decided to stampede their town and left their rubbish and negative attitude all over their local parks and rivers!’
Hayley Walkington said: ‘We’ve had it all at my place of work. Covid seems to have made everyone very angry and impatient with people.
‘You dread going to work at the moment because it’s so stressful. The summer hols started as soon as Boris said parks could reopen.
‘I too have been in tears on more than one occasion. Well done you for speaking out.’
Nicola Ann Sheen said: ‘I work in one of the big supermarkets in a small seaside town in Cornwall and I think a small minority of people who come to Cornwall unfortunately leave their manners and their brains behind.’
Gloria Middleton-German said: ‘I am very glad this young woman spoke out about the way they are treating the local workers who are doing their best under very trying times.
‘We are all caught in this virus thing and I understand that no one wants to be there.
‘I think we can treat each other with respect and kindness. It cost us nothing.
‘Please think what you are going to say before you open your mouth and say the wrong thing.’
But weary locals said ‘rude’ and ‘ignorant’ holidaymakers have left them ‘shaken’ – with some even saying they need to ‘go home’
Julie May Mills added: ‘Whilst in St Ives (wish we had never gone) lots of holidaymakers were not wearing masks or social distancing.
‘I also heard a loud group of Northerners laughing and joking saying they wouldn’t wear masks whilst they were on holiday! Selfish ignorant pigs!’
Penelope Edwina Chubb wrote: ‘Well written. I am totally fed up at having to be polite to rude, ignorant, stuck up themselves visitors and it has pushed my patience to the limit.
‘Chin up Beth they will soon all be gone and life as we know it will resume.’
Thousands of Brits flocked to coastal locations (St Ives earlier this month, pictured) to enjoy staycations as lockdown restrictions were eased
Michael Newton said: ‘I work at a holiday park myself and cannot echo her words enough. Some of the abuse we have to deal with is shocking.
‘Myself and my colleagues are regularly doing 50-60 hours a week due to the extra steps to make sure our guests feel safe.
‘Although I must stress 99 per cent of guests are absolutely brilliant and appreciative of our efforts, the odd few that hurl abuse at us because they arrive eight hours early to check in and their unit isn’t ready is beyond a joke.
‘So to the 99 per cent thank you. To the others, remember we are humans that are just trying to keep yourselves and us safe.’
Jan Moore said: ‘I know exactly how she feels. I work in a supermarket and have heard the same things said, that tourists come down here to get away from all the restrictions they have at home.
‘I also agree that some tourists this year are not so friendly are very rude and certainly more aggressive than previous years, they seem to be more stupid than normal as well.’
In the week of August 15 to August 21 Cornwall and Devon had five new cases – Cornwall is one of the lowest-affected areas by coronavirus in the UK.
A letter from a very defeated holiday park receptionist: ‘We love having you here…but please remember we are humans too’
‘DEAR TOURISTS:
‘A letter from a very defeated receptionist.
‘Hi. I’m Beth and I’m a holiday park receptionist here in Cornwall.
‘I am here to clear a few things up:
‘1. YES, you are correct, without you and your custom I may very well be out of a job right now BUT you must remember that without us you would be without a holiday, it’s a two way street.
‘2. NOWHERE is ‘IMMUNE’ to COVID-19. The amount of times I have been told by you that you’ve come down to Cornwall because we are immune to it and you just want a break from everything is absurd.
‘3. SOCIAL DISTANCING STILL APPLIES. See the above point, we are not immune and we certainly do not have the capacity in our hospital for you to act like we are. For your own safety as well as ours, please try and keep your distance.
‘4. WE ARE STILL HUMAN. This brings me to my main point. I have come home from what was a reasonably short and supposedly easy shift today feeling totally defeated and lost for words.
‘We cannot control Covid. I am not the creator of the rules so please don’t belittle me and call me stupid, idiotic or a b**** just because you have to book a slot for the swimming pool or need to wear a mask for a mere 5 minutes in the shop.
‘You wouldn’t like it if I responded to you in the same way.
‘5. Lastly, ENJOY YOUR STAY! Be grateful that in these times you have been lucky enough to travel and have a slight sense of normality in booking a holiday.
‘For many people this is something they could only have wished for.
‘We love having you here and are grateful that you are keeping our economy up and running and we thank you for it.
‘BUT PLEASE. NEXT TIME YOU GO TO TAKE YOUR ANGER OUT ON A STAFF MEMBER ANYWHERE YOU GO. REMEMBER. WE ARE HUMANS TOO.’
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