Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Lomond, has repeated the message for the public to continue to abide by all guidelines as restrictions on lockdown are eased.

This comes after social distancing measures were evidently ignored by many visitors to the area over the weekend. A combination of good weather and a relaxation of lockdown rules saw Luss, Arrochar, Balloch, and Helensburgh heaving with visitors who had travelled from far out with the area.

Several reports have highlighted that the train services from Glasgow to Balloch and Helensburgh were packed full of visitors and that social distancing measures on board were not met. Similarly, areas such as Luss and Arrochar experienced a huge influx of visitors despite the public toilets and car parks remaining closed.

The A82 was busy with caravans, motor homes and boats as well over the weekend.

Jackie Baillie has contacted the First Minister to ask that she reinforces the guidelines and tells people to not travel more than 5 miles for leisure and exercise.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“It was disappointing to see that places like Luss, Arrochar and Balloch were absolutely heaving with visitors over the weekend. There seemed to be very little effort to meet the advised social distancing guidelines and it was clear that people had travelled from far out with the area.

“I completely understand that it has been a long couple months under lockdown and everyone – especially those without access to outdoor space – are thrilled with the increased freedom that Phase One has given us. However, I can’t stress how important it is for everyone to continue to follow guidelines. You must not travel more than 5 miles for leisure and exercise, you should only meet up with one other household outside and it is vital that you remain two metres apart.

“Many of these smaller villages – with a predominately older local population – have managed to protect themselves from the virus up until now. Huge numbers of visitors from across Scotland will pose a considerable threat to the health and wellbeing of local residents.

“It is a fact that if these guidelines are ignored we will only see a reversal in the progress that we have made to beat this virus and we could experience a second wave of the coronavirus.”