One of the travellers on Southsea Common 'may have Covid-19' says council leader

FEARS about a case of coronavirus among a group of travellers who arrived in Southsea have been raised by the leader of the council.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

About a dozen caravans appeared on Southsea Common on Sunday – although it is unclear where they came from.

It comes as Portsmouth residents have flocked to the seafront over the hot and sunny bank holiday weekend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, said the council will be taking action to move the travellers on.

Travellers arrived on Southsea Common earlier today. Picture: Ben FishwickTravellers arrived on Southsea Common earlier today. Picture: Ben Fishwick
Travellers arrived on Southsea Common earlier today. Picture: Ben Fishwick
Read More
Police name man fatally stabbed in Leigh Park

But with a rumoured case of coronavirus in their ranks, the task will be slightly more difficult than previous incidents.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson said: ‘There is a suggestion that one person there has tested positive for Covid-19.

‘We have to check that and ensure that the correct procedures are put in place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘My understanding is that they got onto the common by lifting some of the boulders – we’re taking legal action to move them on.’

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

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.