By Richard Whitehouse, local democracy reporter
FINES for flouting the coronavurus guidelines should be higher than £60, says Cornwall Council’s leader.
Julian German made the comments after Devon and Cornwall Police said the two counties are closed for Easter and that officers would be patrolling the A30 and M5 to stop anyone attempting to travel into the area from outside.
Cllr German said: ’The £60 fine isn’t necessarily a deterrent for people who can afford a second home or to come on holiday to Cornwall - but that is the current power that police have, and I am glad that the police are using that power.
’People won’t want to be fined by the police whatever the fine is. Devon and Cornwall Police have been as robust as they can identifying people they believe to be on non-essential travel.
’The police are working within the legislation that has been laid out.
Cllr German said that over the past week Cornwall Council has received around 650 reports of holiday accommodation providers being open and taking bookings.
The Council had been working to investigate these and take action where necessary.
He said that the “overwhelming majority” of them had complied and that the council was “very grateful”.
Cllr German added: ’We are asking visitors and second home owners to stay away from Cornwall and come back later. We have a large number of elderly and vulnerable residents and we can’t risk putting extra pressure on our health services at this time.’