A CALL has been made for the Government to alter its guidance on freer movement to avoid a "flood" of day trippers to Cornwall.

Two members of the Liberal Democrats have voiced their concerns over the changes to lockdown restrictions, which mean that people can go outside to visit open spaces from Wednesday, providing they adhere to social distancing.

As reported by the Packet yesterday, the ban on overnight trips away and visits to second homes remains.

Read more: Government clarifies travel advice, saying day trips are OK but visits to second homes and nights away are not

Rob Nolan, portfolio holder for environment and public protection on Cornwall Council, said: “Whilst I am pleased that the Government has ruled out staying at second homes, holiday and other temporary accommodation such as Airbnb, like many other people I am worried the new government guidelines will open the floodgates to day trippers visiting some of our popular tourist hotspots.

"Modern cars are fast and comfortable and people can travel long distances in a day. The Government needs to change their guidance to limit the distance people can travel or Cornwall could fast become a Covid-19 hotspot."

Florence MacDonald, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesperson for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, added: “This is madness. The new government regulations mean that anyone within striking distance of Cornwall’s beaches can jump in the car and spend the day.

"People will rightly be worried that the virus will be spread inadvertently by people who don’t even know they have it. This has to be stopped before it undoes everything achieved by the lockdown."