In the UK at the weekend, national parks and many seaside towns revealed record numbers of visitors, as people ignored the warning over social distancing and appeared to treat the shutdown as a holiday.

Across the UK, people shunned the call to isolate and instead gathered in large numbers to enjoy the sunshine.

From the Welsh hills to the Scottish Highlands, seaside towns and London parks, they strolled about, drank and picnicked, seemingly oblivious to the danger they were placing themselves - and, more importantly others - in.

Angry locals across the nation criticized the holidaying incomers, warning that their medical facilities were already at breaking point, while fearing that the visitors would bring the virus with them.

Lewis Hamilton has taken to social media to warn the morons (our word) of the risk they pose to others and to heed the official warnings.

"I'm so sad to hear of the amount of deaths happening around the world," he wrote on Instagram. "I know most of us are limited with the knowledge of why and how this has happened. There is nothing we can do about it either way except try to isolate ourselves, stop ourselves from catching it and spreading it.

"There are people out there still going to clubs and bars and large gatherings, which I personally feel is totally irresponsible and selfish," he added.

"I'm praying for my family's safety each day but I'm also praying for you out there. I'm praying for those working at the local stores, deliverers, doctors and nurses who put their own health at risk to help others and keep the countries running. Those are the heroes. Please stay safe people.

"If you can, try and take this time to assess your life and situation and how you might want to change things for the better moving forwards. Hopefully through this people will realise even more how health is priceless, how you treat yourself and what you put in your body is so important and also hygiene. We take this life for granted. I hope we don't moving forwards."

Sadly, at a time there are reports of National Health Service (NHS) workers being robbed of their passes in order that they might be used illegally be it terms of travel rights or exclusive access to supermarkets, it is going to take a lot more than words to drum the message home.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Anthony, 24/03/2020 11:02

"I agree entirely with Max. I don’t always agree with Lewis but I think that he is being very responsible and thoughtful in these unusual times."

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2. Posted by Max Noble, 24/03/2020 0:42

"Autocorrect I curse thee!!! “...that DEFINE themselves...” not decline, good lord..."

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3. Posted by Max Noble, 24/03/2020 0:40

"@Steve W - with context... Lewis said he self isolated and monitored for symptoms. As he didn’t show any he said a test was not needed and should be used on those more at risk or in a worse health situation than him.

In my opinion (...) a very well reasoned and sensible approach showing due respect for others, while maintaining one’s own health. I believe Lewis is showing a significant amount of social compassion at this time, and compared to the silence, or shallow comments, from other celebrities he should be commended for honest, useful, heartfelt messaging.

@Bill Hopgood - over here in Australia mostly heading the same way. We need people to bond as a society and perform these measures to protect the weak and at risk. We really do lose or win as a team (nations, and humanity) on this one. If our weak, old, infirm, and at risk members of society no longer matter I suggest we have already lost our humanity, and have failed as a society. This is a time when remarkable national leaders will make tough decisions that decline themselves and their nation going forward. The “Profits vs. people” narrative playing out in the US right now is worrying..."

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4. Posted by Steve W, 23/03/2020 22:40

"And Hamilton himself has declined being tested after possibly being exposed. He needs to hit out at himself... "

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5. Posted by Bill Hopgood, 23/03/2020 16:26

"Here in New Zealand we go into lockdown at 11:59 PM, Wednesday 25 March. The intention is for four weeks.

It has been interesting to see human behaviour here already as each government announcement has taken effect, particularly around "panic buying" at supermarkets.

We've already been told to keep at least 2M apart however, yesterday there were people squeezed up in queues.

The lockdown is designed to slow the spread of the virus enough to give the health system here a breather or to stop it getting hammered by a lot of us getting ill at the same time.

Hopefully we have enough folks with enough sense to stay home unless absolutely critical to go out.

I'll be out today getting the last of our staff home from the office so they can work from there (technology is great for that however someone has to install it for the less tech savvy).

Hamilton is 100% right and we need to learn as much from the Italian experience as we can. What is happening there is terrible and did not have to be so bad if the government and more importantly citizens had taken the appropriate steps early on."

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Hamilton hits out at those ignoring virus warnings

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