PEOPLE are being urged not to visit the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park this weekend following Nicola Sturgeon's announcement on the easing of lockdown restrictions, writes Darren Gibson.

The chief executive of the park authority says he and his staff are working on a plan for the lifting of some limits on outdoor exercise from May 28 – but insists that until then, people should not travel to the area unnecessarily.

Gordon Watson also says the park authority's employees have begun to notice an increase in the number of people failing to comply with the current lockdown restrictions – and says that visitor facilities across the park area will not reopen next week.

In her speech at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon outlined plans to relax some of the restrictions on outdoor activity from Thursday, May 28.

From that date, under phase one of the government's 'route map' out of lockdown, there will be no restrictions on outdoor exercise, though people will still be required to adhere to social distancing measures.

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Phase one also allows for non-contact outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, outdoor swimming or angling – but only in your local area.

Mr Watson said: “While the Scottish Government has now announced their roadmap setting out gradual easing of lockdown restrictions over the coming months, we are reminding people that there has been no change in the current restrictions at the moment.

“None of the potential changes outlined by the First Minister will come into effect until at least May 28, so for now everyone must continue to stay at home and only exercise locally.

“In terms of the National Park that means people should not be visiting unnecessarily and travelling here from other areas.

"Similarly people should also not be meeting up with others in groups to have picnics or barbecues in the National Park.

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“I know that many people are missing the National Park at this time, and with the prospect of lockdown easing, it is extremely tempting to head out to some of your favourite places.

"But we must continue to work together as we have been throughout this period to prevent the spread of infection and not put unnecessary pressure on emergency and local services.

“The vast majority of people have been following the guidance but we have started to see a rise in people disregarding the lockdown restrictions within the National Park and this week have had a number of enquiries about sites and facilities reopening.

“All of our visitor facilities including car parks, toilets, the Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway in Balloch and our campsites and camping permit areas remain closed.

"Police Scotland continue to patrol popular areas and we are working with them to share information where issues are being reported to us.

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“We are working with our partner public bodies to plan for the next phase together and will only open facilities in line with the Scottish Government’s guidance and when we are confident that it is safe to do so not just for those using them, but for the staff who need to work at these sites and for the communities around them.

“This will be a very gradual process and we will communicate clearly plans on this as they progress.

"National Park facilities will not be open as normal from next week.

“For now, though, there is no change and the message remains that must all stay home, stay local, and help save lives.

"The National Park will be here to welcome you when the time is right.”

For the most up to date advice for visitors and potential visitors to the area, see lochlomond-trossachs.org/park-authority/covid-19-coronavirus-advice-visitors/

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PEOPLE are being urged not to visit the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park this weekend following Nicola Sturgeon's announcement on the easing of lockdown restrictions.

With the Scottish Government setting out plans to ease lockdown measures in phases over the next few months, visiting parks to relax and sunbathe are some of the first activities to be reintroduced as people try and return to “normal” life.

However park chief exec Gordon Watson has asked visitors to stay away until further announcements are made.

He said: “While the Scottish Government has now announced their roadmap setting out gradual easing of lockdown restrictions over the coming months, we are reminding people that there has been no change in the current restrictions at the moment.

“None of the potential changes outlined by the First Minister will come into effect until at least the 28th May at the earliest so for now everyone must continue to stay at home and only exercise locally.

“In terms of the National Park that means people should not be visiting unnecessarily and travelling here from other areas. Similarly, people should also not be meeting up with others in groups to have picnics or barbecues in the National Park.

“I know that many people are missing the National Park at this time and with the prospect of lockdown easing it is extremely tempting to head out to some of your favourite places but we must continue to work together as we have been throughout this period to prevent the spread of infection and not put unnecessary pressure on emergency and local services.

“The vast majority of people have been following the guidance, but we have started to see a rise in people disregarding the lockdown restrictions within the National Park and this week have had a number of enquiries about sites and facilities reopening.

“All of our visitor facilities including car parks, toilets, the Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway in Balloch and our campsites and camping permit areas remain closed. Police Scotland continue to patrol popular areas and we are working with them to share information where issues are being reported to us.

“We are working with our partner public bodies to plan for the next phase together and will only open facilities in line with the Scottish Government’s guidance and when we are confident that it is safe to do so not just for those using them, but for the staff who need to work at these sites and for the communities around them.

“This will be a very gradual process and we will communicate clearly plans on this as they progress. National Park facilities will not be open as normal from next week.

“For now though there is no change and the message remains that must all stay home, stay local, and help save lives. The National Park will be here to welcome you when the time is right.”

For the most up to date advice for visitors go to lochlomond-trossachs.org/park-authority/covid-19-coronavirus-advice-visitors/.