Outrage as woman visiting beach with family complains that others doing the same could spread virus

A woman has sparked outrage after driving an hour and a half to the beach before suggesting that others doing the same could cause a spike in coronavirus cases.

Jane Peacock made the baffling assessment while being interviewed by the BBC, causing viewers to point out the hypocrisy.

‘It’s lovely to get out but I’m quite shocked at how many people are here,’ she said while relaxing on the beach. 

‘They’re not paying attention to social distancing. I find that quite annoying to be honest – it’s like being in Tesco.’

Jane Peacock, pictured, has sparked outrage after driving an hour and a half to go to the beach with her family before complaining that others doing the same could spread the coronavirus

The Peacock family drove to the beach to relax where they were interviewed by the BBC

Her daughter, Ellie, added: ‘It’s nice to get out of quarantine but I think it’s going to peak again because everyone’s going to go mad and go anywhere they can.’

Twitter users labelled the Peacock family’s behaviour as ‘selfish’ and ‘irresponsible’ while others pointed out that she’s a part of the problem.

One user named MK wrote: ‘I think she sees herself as above the problem. This type of ego is what is wrong with the majority of the UK.’

One user said: ‘For someone who is engaging in selfish, irresponsible behaviour to criticise others for selfish, irresponsible behaviour is the height of hypocrisy. 

‘Don’t go to the beach or other beauty hotspots. Don’t drive one and a half hours to go anywhere. Just stay at home.’

Another tweeter, Colm McAfee, posted: ‘I’m baffled. Just saw this on the news. Woman who drove 1.5 hours to go to the beach with her family complains about other people at the beach who have done the same as her. Does she not see she’s part of the problem?’

Meanwhile Twitter user Jules M said: ‘Sorry Peacock family, I live a five minute walk from the beach where I live, drop me a DM next time you want to come visit and I’ll drive the 1.5 hours to your house just to even things up.’

Daughter Ellie (centre right) believes COVID-19 cases will peak again because people will go ‘anywhere they can’

Twitter users pointed out the hypocrisy before labelling Peacock’s behaviour as ‘selfish’

Claire Savage tweeted: ‘This is why the restrictions were put on place, such lack of self awareness. 

‘Same happens every time there’s a discussion about reducing car use, lots of people agree but it’s never convenient for them because they need their car…’

People in England have started to enjoy more freedom after Boris Johnson eased lockdown restrictions eight days ago.  

Driving to outdoor open spaces including parks, beaches and beauty spots with members of the same household is allowed in England. 

But rules against going on holiday or staying overnight at second homes still apply. 

New rules permit exercising more than once a day with one person who is not from the same household, provided social distancing is observed.

Golf courses, tennis and basketball courts can be used, and people can swim in lakes and the sea.

But gathering with more than one person from another household is still off limits, as are public pools, playgrounds, outdoor gyms, and leisure centres. 

Britain’s coronavirus death toll continued its downward trend today with officials announcing 160 more victims, taking the official number of fatalities closer to the 35,000-mark.

Health officials also announced 2,684 more cases of the coronavirus, taking the official size of the outbreak in the UK past 246,000.