Southsea carer slams 'Benidorm-like' crowds flouting social distancing measures

The care support worker, who asked not to be named, makes 60 visits a week to older people with a variety of health complaints, including dementia – and every day her clients break into tears of frustration and despair as they watch others flouting social distancing guidance in the sunshine.

The 57-year-old said: ‘It's so bad in Southsea at the moment with people breaking social distancing.

‘The roads are so narrow I have to walk in the middle of the road to avoid people.

‘You would think some people are on holiday in Benidorm - not avoiding an infectious disease.’

‘It's so frustrating. I see people out in massive groups, and I turn up to clients’ homes and they are crying their eyes out - they want to go out.

‘They see people walking past their door and they are worried about dying because they can see people spreading the disease.

‘Every day I see someone worried to tears.’

And it’s not just her clients who are overcome with anxiety, as the carer’s colleagues and other healthcare workers are breaking down with stress.

She said: ‘I've seen a mental health nurse crying her eyes out in the street - she was so upset from explaining to people that they can't go out, while seeing others enjoying themselves.

‘One of my colleagues is leaving because she is so stressed with the whole situation.’

Clients living near Commercial Road have described the shopping area as ‘manic’ this week, as well as crowds gathering across Southsea Common and Castle Road, with temperatures of 26C drawing people outside.

The prime minister needs to address the public to reassure people and clarify the guidance around the relaxed lockdown, according to the carer.

She said: ‘I think it's so confusing. When I watched Boris's latest announcement, I thought, 'If I can't get my head around this, how will vulnerable people understand it?'

‘You're not seeing Boris speak as much now. He needs to reassure people.’

A top doctor in Portsmouth has urged residents to obey social distancing guidelines.

Dr John Knighton, medical director at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: ‘It's clear that the measures put in place to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 can make a real difference to the rate of transmission and help save lives.

‘Even if people are able to move around a little more than previously, continuing to follow the social distancing guidance is key to helping to reduce the rate of infection, protecting yourself, your family and loved ones and the NHS.’

Meanwhile, residents have been told to be considerate in Portsmouth as the coronavirus lockdown continues.

Amid reports of public spaces such as Southsea Common, parks and beaches getting busier – increasingly so as the weather warms up – the council has issued a statement urging residents to ‘think twice’ to avoid affecting or annoying others.

Cllr Steve Pitt, deputy leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘The longer we stay in lockdown and as rules change the more opportunity there is for people to accidentally irritate others. Some people are pleased they can move around the city more while others will be worried that more people are out and about.

‘Think twice if you're thinking of doing a performance for people in your street, have a socially distanced chat with your neighbours about the noise it might make. If you're going out to enjoy the nice weather have a think about what places or times it might be quieter. Rather than adding to long queues at the household waste and recycling centre can you safely store your rubbish in a shed, loft or somewhere else?

‘Please think about how what you do affects the people around you and most importantly talk to each other, while following social distancing rules. Generally most people get on well and are considerate if they understand someone else's situation.

‘On the whole Portsmouth residents have been great during lockdown and I hope everyone continues to follow government's guidance, we're just asking for everyone to think twice about the things they do, how they might affect other people and if there's anything that could help the situation.’

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