Visitors are being urged to stay away from the Lakes this weekend in a joint statement from Cumbrian MPs.

People are being urged to follow coronavirus guidance this weekend to help protect the NHS – and visitors are asked to stay away from the Lake District.

Hospitals in Cumbria are reporting extremely high numbers of patients with infection, resulting in health services coming under extreme strain.

This prompted crime commissioner Peter McCall and county MPs John Stevenson, Mark Jenkinson, Simon Fell, Tim Farron, Trudy Harrison and Dr Neil Hudson to release a statement this morning.

It said: “Ahead of the weekend, we are asking you to adhere to the government guidance to continue to stay home as much as possible and only leave for an essential reason such as shopping for necessities or exercising as close to home as possible and avoid travelling where you can.

“We all understand that outdoor exercise is vital for mental and physical wellbeing and that the risks when exercising safely outdoors are extremely low.

“However, any journey we make increases the chance of interacting with others, even if that is not planned.

“The virus does not spread by itself and it is crucial that we all reduce non-essential movement around the country and stay local to enable us to effectively fight the virus and suppress infection rates in our communities.

“Cumbria relies on visitors and tourists coming to our local area, and our partners are working hard behind the scenes so they can welcome people back when it is safe to do so.”

Mr McCall added: “It’s important that people continue to limit their time away from home as much as possible.

“I particularly want to say to people who love coming here to visit the Lakes and other Cumbria attractions that, if you love the area, please do your part to help return it to normality as soon as possible by staying away.

“We look forward to welcoming you back soon when it is safe to do so."

Barrow and Furness MP, Simon Fell said: “I would like to thank the incredibly dedicated teams who have been working in dozens of different areas, not least those keeping our hospitals running, schools open, and vaccinations deliveries on track as the pandemic drags on.

“It is essential that we work together to stop the spread of this virus, protecting not just ourselves and our loved ones, but also those key workers who are doing so much for us right now.”

South Lakes MP Tim Farron said: “I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who is doing their bit in this national effort to save lives and protect our friends, neighbours and loved ones working in the NHS.

“The next few weeks and months are going to be really tough, but the arrival and rollout of vaccines should give us all hope that the end of this pandemic is clearly in sight.

“Nothing would be more heart-breaking than to lose a loved one to this virus just weeks before they could be vaccinated. So, let’s all continue to play our part by staying at home to save lives.”

Copeland MP, Trust Harrison said: “All of us want to see an end to lockdown and the restrictions it has placed on our every day lives and the national vaccination programme now underway will give us the opportunity to finally return to normal living.

“However, the harsh reality is that COVID-19 is still out there and it is more virulent than it was even a few weeks ago.

“However great the temptation it is so very important that we all stick to the rules that government, through its scientific advisers has set out because we must continue to protect our NHS and save lives.

“We must never tire of adhering to the messages of staying at home when we can unless for exceptional circumstances such as shopping, getting medical supplies or exercising near your home.

“The sacrifices we make today will allow us to enjoy all those things we want to do in the future.”