PEOPLE have been urged to stay away from farms when exercising during the coronavirus outbreak.

Many farmers are concerned about the additional stresses the pandemic could place on them during the busy lambing season.

Andrea Meanwell, farming officer for the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “One farmer from Borrowdale said they usually love saying hello to people when they come through the yard but at the moment they are having to keep children inside the house in order to maintain our social distancing and keep their family safe.”

Maria Benjamin, of Nibthwaite Grange Farm near Ulverston, added: “It’s a busy, stressful time on the farm with lambing and calving and farmers don’t need the additional worry of contamination to gates and property.

“Please use your discretion and avoid farmyards and rural homes when exercising.”

And now the national park authority has produced signs reminding those who do find themselves near farms to maintain social distance and to wash their hands after touching any shared surfaces.

A reminder has also been pinned to a stone which marks the national park boundary near Kendal, urging the public to ‘stay home, save lives, protect the NHS’.

Andrew Slattery, assistant chief constable at Cumbria Constabulary, said: “We ask people to remember that many of the rights of way, paths, gates and stiles they might walk on or touch on a day out in Cumbria are on farmers’ land, near their homes - where they carry out essential work.

“Your visit to their property may be spreading the virus that could affect all of us. Whilst exercising is essential for physical and mental wellbeing, I would ask everybody to avoid all unnecessary travelling in accordance with government rules and to stay away from rural homes when exercising.

“The message for people is that we all have an opportunity to protect our brave NHS workers and save lives. We are all in this together and we must all follow this essential advice.”

The signs for public rights of way can be downloaded at lakedistrict.gov.uk/coronavirus.