Good weather is proving ‘too tempting’ for some

By Helen McGurk
Published 1st Jun 2020, 15:37 BST
Crowds of sunbathers were enjoying the sunshine at Ballygally beach in Co Antrim at the weekendCrowds of sunbathers were enjoying the sunshine at Ballygally beach in Co Antrim at the weekend
Crowds of sunbathers were enjoying the sunshine at Ballygally beach in Co Antrim at the weekend
The PSNI has encouraged the public not to drive to local beauty spots after issues with crowding and traffic disruption in the Mourne Mountains at the weekend.

The warm, sunny weather attracted hordes of sunseekers to beaches and other popular touris destinations across the province, but the PSNI warned everyone must continue to adhere to social distancing rules.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “It seems, from our observations over the weekend, that for significant numbers, the current spell of good weather proved too big a temptation as they chose to ignore the public health advice and guidance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘‘This was especially true in the Mourne Mountains area were large numbers of people and vehicles caused issues with crowding, traffic disruption, irresponsible parking and littering of local beauty spots, despite the best efforts of the police service and our local partners.’’

IKEA in Belfast opened its door for the first time on Monday since the lockdown began, with hundreds of shoppers queuing to get in. Some had been queuing from before 8am.IKEA in Belfast opened its door for the first time on Monday since the lockdown began, with hundreds of shoppers queuing to get in. Some had been queuing from before 8am.
IKEA in Belfast opened its door for the first time on Monday since the lockdown began, with hundreds of shoppers queuing to get in. Some had been queuing from before 8am.

According to the latest weather forecast from the Met Office, we’re in for another couple of days at least of sunshine and high temperatures.

We can expect mostly dry and warm weather today, with showers spreading south in the evening.

The Met Office said it will be ‘cool and cloudy as temperatures drop into the mid teens with 14 or 13 degrees expected on Thursday and Friday’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The sweltering heat did not deter customers who queued for hours yesterday as homewares giant Ikea opened its Northern store for the first time since lockdown began in March.

The Belfast store, one of 19 Ikea outlets opened across the UK, saw some of the largest lines, which were patrolled by social distance wardens, with queues running along the main road outside the store.

Elsewhere, customers were photographed snaking around car parks as they waited their turn to go in.

Two customers, Samantha Fisher and her daughter Atlanta, from Groomsport, Co Down, queued from 8am in order to shop for a bedroom furniture.

Related topics:IkeaPSNIMet OfficeBelfast

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.