Second home owners and visitors have been warned to stay away from Fife’s East Neuk following the resignation of the chief medical officer.
Residents said people were continuing to travel to the area contrary to government advice and there are fears the problem could escalate over this Easter weekend.
It comes after Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood was forced to quit when it emerged she had twice travelled to her holiday home in Earlsferry during the coronavirus lockdown.
Anne Williamson, 73, who lives 10 miles along the Fife coast in Crail, said: “People are not listening to the request to stay at home. This weekend it has been bedlam in the village.
“I’ve been sitting at my window watching people on the beach like they’re on a day out.
“Crail has a high percentage of residents over 70, a lot of them in their 80s, and they are frightened.”
She has put a poster in her window telling people to stay away until restrictions are lifted.
Crail Community Council chairman Max Taylor said a few second homes were occupied and even those staying for the duration were contravening official advice.
He said: “Crail and the East Neuk have a high percentage of elderly and vulnerable residents.
“Healthcare in the East Neuk is stretched as it is and the nearest hospital is over 40 minutes away, so any changes in our local population can have important implications.”
North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie said he hoped the consequences for Dr Calderwood, who apologised for her unnecessary visits, will be a lesson to those who have chosen to move to their holiday homes over Easter.
He said: “It is just not fair to local people who are concerned about the virus spread and whether the local NHS will cope if lots of holiday makers fall victim to the disease.
“There are just too many people in the East Neuk just now and I hope they make the sensible choice and opt to go to their principal home as they have been advised.
“As a liberal, I find it uncomfortable asking people to curtail their freedom but this is a relatively short term set of measures to save lives so I hope people follow the advice now.”
Fife Council co-leader David Ross also warned people against using holiday homes in the region.
On Sunday he tweeted: “We have many second homes in Fife and the message has to be please don’t come here.
“Not only for health protection but as council co-leader I know the huge pressure on our services and staff.”
We're asking people not to visit the Fife coastal path. We have many 2nd homes in Fife and the message has to be please don't come here. Not only for health protection but as Council Co-Leader I know the huge pressure on our services and staff. Don't make it worse. Stay at home.
— David Ross (@DavidR_Fife) April 5, 2020
Villages along Fife’s picturesque East Neuk have among the highest proportions of holiday homes in Scotland.
A 2018 report stated that more than half of houses in Earlsferry were second homes.
In Elie a third of properties are second homes while in Crail a fifth are.
Meanwhile, community leaders in Highland Perthshire are urging residents to call 101 if they see tourists flouting the guidelines.
Kenmore and District Community Council chairman Peter Ely is concerned the Easter weekend could draw crowds back to Loch Tay.
He said: “Two weeks ago, before they made the announcement, it was quite busy. Now there’s the odd person but it’s not as noticeable.
“If you see it, you need to report it.”
