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Ban public from beaches, says RNLI, as they warn it is 'impossible' for lifeguards to patrol safely

They said it will be safe to go to the beach in late June under current plans. - Getty
They said it will be safe to go to the beach in late June under current plans. - Getty
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter

Ban the public from beaches, the RNLI has urged the government as the chief executive warned it is 'impossible' for lifeguards to patrol safely.

The charity watched in horror over the Bank Holiday weekend as beaches were packed with daytrippers, and two members of the public drowned.

On Monday, a 17-year-old girl died after a boat capsized near Wadebridge and a man died after being pulled from the water by a member of the public in Padstow.

However, the RNLI revealed to The Telegraph that many beaches should be safe to visit from late June, which is when they plan to have more lifeguards on patrol.

In an open letter, Mark Cowie the chief executive of the RNLI said the lifting of lockdown restrictions in England had put the charity in an "impossible situation" in which they had to choose whether to put lifeguards or the public at risk.

He wrote that - despite warning that no lifeguards were on patrol - lifeboat crews had their busiest weekend of the year so far due to crowded beaches, hot weather and large waves.

Lifeguards need special training in the age of a pandemic, and the charity has not yet had time to fully work out how to keep its volunteers safe.

Mr Cowie explained: "We have to work out how to do in-water rescues and give first aid – normally conducted at close quarters and often with people coughing up water. We have to find PPE that will work on a beach and in the water – visors and aprons are no good on a rescue board. And we have to train our lifeguards in procedures to reduce the risk of infection. All this takes time and we learnt of the lifting of restrictions at the same time as everyone else.

"We’re asking the public to heed our safety advice and we’re asking the government to restrict access to the coast until we have lifeguard patrols back on beaches."

The charity is also under immense financial pressure; it faces an expected £45M shortfall in funding by the end of the year because many fundraising activities have had to stop.

However, some beaches will begin to have lifeguards on patrol again in coming weeks.

"We are still talking to local authorities to finalise arrangements but should be starting lifeguard patrols on 15 English beaches this weekend," Mr Cowie told The Telegraph.

He added: "People will see lifeguards on those beaches this week carrying out training and making final preparations for the start of the season.

"Eight of these beaches are in the south west. Lifeguards on two Jersey beaches started patrols last weekend.

"We are hoping to roll out the service on more beaches later in June, including beaches in Wales if lockdown restrictions are lifted."