BRITS living near Airbnbs have been urged to call the cops on travellers staying overnight under a Covid crackdown.
While lockdown restrictions have eased this week, overnight stays are banned until at least April 12, when one household will be allowed to visit self-catered accommodation.
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But tourism chiefs in Devon have urged locals to report out-of-towners to the police.
The call was made just days after lockdown flouters trashed a house on one of Britain’s priciest streets during a 60-strong illegal Airbnb party.
And officials in Cornwall have also warned today that it’s “still illegal” to travel miles to visit.
It comes as:
Sally Everton, director of Visit Devon, called on the public to visit the county when it is “safe and legal” to do so.
“Coming up on the A30 yesterday, all I saw was cars with surfboards on the roof,” she said.
“Either they’re going to get their surfboards waxed or serviced, or they’re looking for some waves.Â
“I’m quite disappointed because people will flout the law.
“What we need is an enforcement notice from the Government to say that while people can move around, they should stay local and to still minimise travel.
“If you know there’s somebody in their second home or there’s an Airbnb that has been occupied, we’d encourage them to report it to the police.”
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Earlier this month, cops were called to a £2million pad in Sandbanks, Dorset after neighbours complained of noise and loud music coming from a multimillion pound property.
The shocked home owner had rented out his luxury pad for two nights earlier this month for £1,400 to a couple based in Reading, Berks.
He said: “I’m absolutely mortified and I’ve had to explain to the neighbours what happened but thankfully they have been very understanding.
“The people who hired it stitched me up completely and are the dregs of society. They sprayed champagne over the walls and the place was a mess.”
And Visit Cornwall’s Malcom Bell said today: “We want visitors to hear this message, plan ahead, book now and visit later when the rules allow and we look forward to welcoming you back to our beautiful part of the world.”
Boris Johnson eased some of the rules yesterday as cases continue to plummet.
People in England are now allowed to meet outside, including in private gardens, in groups of six.
Meanwhile, the ‘stay at home’ order has gone.
The easing has coincided with a mini-heatwave as temperatures in the south-east rocketed to higher than 24C today – breaking a record held for more than 50 years.
But as Brits celebrate being allowed to meet friends and loved ones again, many restrictions remain in place.
Among the rules are that hotels and group holidays won’t resume until at least May 17.
And yesterday, a source told The Sun the date for holidays may well be pushed back – as the picture in Europe and elsewhere “is still too bleak to make a clear decision”.
But he Prime Minister is facing increased pressure to unlock earlier after four NHS regions covering 29million people in southern England reported no deaths on Sunday.
The PM confirmed that an update on holidays will be unveiled on April 5, Easter Monday.
He said the most important thing is to continue to vaccinate people in “great numbers”, adding that he’ll soon reveal “what the global travel taskforce has come up with”.
Now 40 MPs have now sent the Prime Minister a letter urging him to avoid delaying a decision on travel.
The group of cross-party MPs warned that the country will face a longer road to recovery without tourism – and said holidays are essential, the Daily Mail reports.
