THE operators of Mullion Holiday Park have announced that all of its sites will now close until May 1.

Only yesterday Parkdean Resorts defended its decision to stay open.

However, under mounting pressure for such facilities to shut their doors to limit the spread of coronavirus, it has announced this afternoon that it will shut all of its parks.

It has 67 across the UK and eight in Cornwall, including at Mullion, which is due to be renamed Lizard Point Holiday Park.

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Steve Richards, CEO at Parkdean, said: “Parkdean Resorts has 67 parks across the UK and our company plays a big role in local communities, whether it be through investment, tourism or employment.

"As such, we have been in conversation with community leaders, customers and our people, and have decided to delay the launch of the season. We are very sorry to the many holiday makers who were hoping to spend their Easter break with us, but I hope they understand why.

“We will continually and closely review the Government’s guidance and hope to welcome people on park from May 1.

“As our parks are based in areas that rely on tourism, I would therefore like to reassure anyone working for Parkdean Resorts, and the communities they live in, that no one will be made redundant as a result of coronavirus, and we will be paying 100 per cent salary.

“As Parkdean Resorts was gearing up for the Easter holidays, we have a significant amount of perishable food on park, which will now be donated to local community food banks.”

Read more: Visit Cornwall says holiday is "non-essential" travel

The closure means that:

• Parkdean Resorts will be offering all holiday makers who had booked to stay at its parks during this time a full refund, or they have the option to roll their booking, with a credit voucher worth 120 per cent of the original booking.

• All facilities and all touring and camping provision is cancelled until May 1.

• Access to parks will be denied to third parties and controlled as normal by security teams.

The news follows the announcement by Parkdean Resorts on Saturday that following Government instruction, all its bars, restaurants, swimming pools, leisure facilities and amenities would be closed immediately and all activities, sports, entertainment would be ceased.