Kent's own self-styled 'treasure island' is telling people to stay away.

Swale council has reminded potential visitors that the Isle of Sheppey is shut during the coronavirus lockdown.

Council spokesman Lauren Jones insisted: "People should not be visiting beaches at Sheerness, Minster or Leysdown this weekend."

And she warned: "We are working with Kent Police over the long weekend checking car parks and areas of interest to ensure people are complying with government instructions not to travel unless essential."

She added: "Last weekend, most people stayed away but with the bank holidays coming up we want to remind people that they need to be minimising the time they’re spending out of their home."

However, the warning may have come too late.

One frustrated shop-worker, who did not want to be named, said: "All weekend, loads of caravan owners were down, openly admitting they had travelled from London and were staying on our holiday parks. They are putting our lives at risk.

"They say it is safer down here, but safer for whom? To keep Islanders safe, holiday parks should be closed with court orders, if that is what is required, to save lives and stop the spread of covid19."

Paul Smith from Eastchurch has written to MP Gordon Henderson.

He said: "I have lived here for 20 years and am well aware of the importance of tourism. But I am continuously dismayed to see families and groups, who are clearly non-resident, walking from the caravan parks and into the woodland.

"The Government guidance is very clear. Tourism is not a necessity. We all need to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. Clearly park management must take on board responsibility for ensuring compliance with the government guidance."

An 81-year-old widow from Sheerness, who again did not want to be identified, added: "We should make it clear Sheppey is closed. I have seen many motorhomes parked on the beach. We don't want these people from London coming down and bringing coronavirus with them.

"It is lovely they like our island but they must stop coming and do what the government tells them."

Swale spokesman Miss Jones added: "If everyone assumes it will be fine to nip to the beach or park for their exercise, it will dramatically increase the chances of coronavirus being transmitted as it is more difficult to avoid coming into contact with people."

The government says people must stay home unless shopping for essentials; travelling to work; attending medical needs; escaping from harm; caring for the vulnerable or taking one form of exercise either on your own or with members of your household.

If you do have to go out, you should ensure you are at least 2m from anyone else.

Miss Jones said: "We have had to send officers to ask camper van owners parked on Sheppey to move on. People might think they’re isolated but the government guidance is clear that essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays. People must remain in their primary residence.

"Even isolated places like Shellness or the shingle bank at Sheerness should be avoided as there aren’t suitable waste or welfare facilities."

Holiday parks normally regard Easter as one of their busiest times of the year but have been told to close by the government unless they have people on site who have nowhere else to go.

Kent police have so far issued six fines across the county. None have been on Sheppey.

Swale council has also warned against visiting other attractions including country parks at Oare, Milton Creek and Perry Wood near Faversham.

The Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, which is coordinating the NHS response to Covid-19, has repeated its message to Stay Home, Protect The NHS and Save Lives.

A spokesman said: "It is vital people don’t put the NHS under greater strain in the weeks ahead by being out and about and risking spreading the virus."

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