THE owner of an art gallery in Falmouth has criticised visitors for refusing to scan their Covid QR code when they enter her premises.

Sophi Beharrell, artist in residence at the Watermen's Gallery on Custom House Quay, once the studio of renowned artist Henry Scott Tuke, said people have a range of excuses for not scanning their Covid Apps when they enter the premises.

Posting on Facebook she said: "Unbelievable the intolerance people have about scanning the QR Code in the Gallery.

"Range of excuses from haven't got my phone, I don't need to do that, oh for goodness sake you haven't fallen for all the spin have you...it's ok I'm in my 70s if I get it, I get it,'......honestly really????"

Her exasperation was echoed by Amy Bennetts from Seven Stars in Falmouth. The pub had to close for two days recently after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.

She said: "Every day there’s always someone who doesn’t have the app and refuses to fill in a contact slip, or can’t read simple signs 'Please wait to be seated', 'Please don’t sit on a table with dirty glasses it needs to be sanitised'

"Best one by far: 'We’ve come down here to get away from all this rubbish you’re not helping us enjoy our holiday,'.”

Sophi told the Packet: "I think people just think because they've had two jabs they are completely safe but no one knows what the variants will do.

"Talking to visitors/customers from out of county about how lockdown was for them, I would say about 70 per cent have had Covid at some point and some have dreadful long Covid problems now, a mixture of ages, fitness levels too. Pretty scary when we got away fairly lightly.

"I think the traders and especially town council and Cornwall Council doing everything in their power, and then some, to keep us safe so we can keep our customers safe but people still aren't taking this seriously.

"I have a vulnerable husband at home and I would never forgive myself if I brought something home after dealing with people like this."

Falmouth has seen a sharp rise in Covid cases since half term and the G7 summit bought thousands of people to the county. Since then the more contagious Delta variant has become the primary disease spreader.

Yesterday, Falmouth town and county councillors signed a joint letter to community health leaders demanding action be taken to tackle the spike.

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