Following the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on Sunday, there are fears that families will start flocking to the coast.

Lockdown restrictions have been eased and people told they can travel for exercise, but day-trippers heading to Dorset are being urged to think again by authorities who want to protect the county’s low virus infection rate.

Cllr Dave Rickard, leader of Bridport Town Council, said: “We share the concerns of those worried about the risks posed by increased visitor numbers to Bridport and West Bay and we have made it clear our unease with the local MP, Dorset Council and the police.

“It is not at all clear how encouraging visitors could be sanctioned without opening car parks, toilets and refreshment facilities, measures which have not been proposed.

“The consequences for popular tourist locations do not seem to have been thought through by the Government and we urge ministers not to allow these measures to undermine the success of our community in limiting the spread of the virus.”

West Dorset MP Chris Loder said he shared constituents’ concerns of people coming to the area, especially on the coast.

“I’ve discussed precautions with the police and Dorset Council, and these will be put in place, such as car parks at visitor destinations will remain closed,” he said. “However, if we adhere to social distancing, it is not only safe but also important to start taking responsibility for ourselves as the first step to returning our communities to recovery and normality.”

Dorset Council has decided that car parks at visitor destinations, including beaches and country parks, will stay closed for the time being.

Dorset Council Leader Cllr Spencer Flower said: “Our overriding priority is the safety and wellbeing of Dorset residents. We want to discourage people from outside the county and from areas with a higher rate of infection than Dorset from visiting our beaches and beauty spots, and inadvertently spreading the virus to local people.

“People who may be thinking of visiting Dorset from elsewhere in the country need to ask themselves, is this safe? Is this fair? We really look forward to welcome visitors back to our beautiful county in future, but it’s too early to take the risk right now.”

Lyme Regis Town Council is expected to make an announcement today (Thursday) on guidance from councillors and what is and isn’t open.