MEMBERS of Parliament insist “common sense is key” to controlling coronavirus after concerns were raised that beach-goers could trigger a second spike.

Around the UK, beaches have become so busy, visitors were seen breaking social distancing rules.

Politicians across the country now fear coastal towns will be the first to be hit by a second wave of Covid-19.

James Duddridge, Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East, said it was up to everyone to “use common sense” to avoid another spike.

He said: “The Government has already said lockdown measures will be reintroduced if required, so it is up to all of us to use our common sense so we can avoid a second peak of the virus.

“While people now have the freedom to visit the seaside, they must do so in a responsible way. This means using public transport for essential journeys only, avoiding large crowds, maintaining social distancing at all times, and not mixing en masse with other households.”

The concerns were backed by Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, who said that if the R-number - which indicates the speed the disease is spreading - was to increase, it would mean the beaches being “strictly monitored”.

He said: “The arrangements for visitors to the seafront has in part worked well, as far as local residents are concerned, but there have been concerns with visitors from outside the area. I know that this is a difficult issue in balancing health concerns with those of the impact on our economy, but if the R rate were to climb in Southend, then unquestionably Southend beach will have to be more strictly monitored for visitors.”

The comments come after several other MPs in the south warned their areas could also be hit with localised lockdowns if there is a surge in cases.

Among them was Brighton Pavilion Green MP, Caroline Lucas, who said it would be a “disaster” if new lockdowns had to be implemented.

However, Southend Council’s deputy leader, Ron Woodley has questioned why MPs didn’t speak up weeks ago.

He said: “If MPs were going to say something they should have done it three weeks ago when Boris Johnson said go forward and spread the disease on beaches and parks and country parks.

“Those MPs should have come out then and said hold on prime minister you are putting people at risk.”

Mr Woodley said visitors were more likely to take it back to their own home towns rather than Southend seeing a surge in new cases.

Joan Tiney, chair of the Seafront Traders’ Association, said: “I am very concerned about this. Businesses have been shut since March 20 and God knows when many of them will re-open or whether it will be viable with social distancing measures in place. I can’t see traders being happy about a second lockdown.

“I don’t see anyone being in favour of a lockdown on the seafront.”