Lifeguard patrols in Wirral have been suspended as the public heeds government instructions to stay at home.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institute will cease patrols of all beaches on the borough, including West Kirby, Moreton, Harrison Drive, The Plateaux and New Brighton, which were due to commence on April 4.
The decision has been taken to ensure lifeguards adhere to the government’s instructions to limit contact between people and encourage the public to do the same. Lifeboat stations remain on service.
In a statement, the RNLI said: “Lifeguards work and train in groups, which makes keeping the requirement to remain two metres apart difficult and the nature of their work with the public puts them – and beach visitors – at risk of close contact.
“Also, their usual activity includes encouraging people to visit patrolled beaches and swim in certain areas – this activity would go against the government’s clear instruction for people to stay at home, maintain social distancing and not congregate in groups.”
The rollout of RNLI lifeguards to 47 additional beaches across the UK that were due to start patrols this weekend and over the Easter period will be postponed until further notice.
Across the RNLI, this decision will affect approximately 390 trained lifeguards who were ready to patrol beaches in the next few weeks . It is hoped that once the current situation changes and government guidance allows, they will be able to re-establish the lifeguard service and employ those lifeguards onto the beaches, but it is currently too early to know when that might be.
With the situation changing regularly, the RNLI will continue to review the rollout of lifeguard beaches as the season continues with the aim of restoring services when possible.
In the meantime, they are working with beach owners to inform the public that lifeguards will not be patrolling.
A spokesperson added: “At a time when emergency services are already stretched we ask everyone to follow government advice.
“The RNLI is asking everyone to carefully consider the need to go to visit the beach, the coast or go into the water in case they get into difficulty.”
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