Eerie silence in Seaton Carew as visitors stay home and takeaways and business remain shut

Pictures taken around lunchtime on Monday, March 23, show the seafront quiet after concerns over the weekend that people were not sticking to the government’s social distancing advice by contnuing to go out and mix closely together.

Several takeaways have taken the decision to close until further notice.

They include Young’s, and Fish Face fish and chip shops, and the Golden River.

A notice in Young’s window said: “Our priority as business owners is to keep ourselves, staff and all members of the public safe at this serious time.

“As from today, 23rd March, with heavy heart we have taken it on our own backs to close until further notice.”

A similar sign inside the Golden River said: “Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we will no longer be open from the 22nd March until further notice.”

Fish Face said on Facebook they had tried to follow government advice over the weekend but said: “We now believe that in order to keep our customers and staff safe we need to go one step further to prevent the spread of Covid 19.”

Seaton’s sandy car park was almost deserted as people are advised to stay at home to try to slow the spread of coronavirus in the community.

Hartlepool’s new Nando’s on Anchor Retail Park, which opened only two weeks ago, has closed temporarily.

Hartlepool’s Asda, Tesco and Morrisons supermarkets remain relatively busy.