The boss of a holiday park has told residents and holidaymakers to "go home" after the company announced it is closing today due to the coronavirus.

Owners of second homes and caravans, as well as visitors, at The Foxhunter Park in Monkton, near Ramsgate, have been asked to pack their bags and leave.

It follows similar closures across Kent, including the Haven Holiday Park in Allhallows and Parkdean Resorts' parks in Greatstone and St Margerets Bay.

Park director Jane Stacey said all facilities on the park are closed from today but the company is "making every effort" to ensure staff are looked after during this period.

"We all have a responsibility to consider not just ourselves but the people of our country, the local community and the Foxhunter Park and we are having to make decisions and take actions which were unimaginable a few weeks ago," she said.

"Thank goodness for the announcements of support which have come from government which should help us to be ready to resume business just as soon as the crisis passes."

The park currently has 368 plots and seven staff will remain on site.

Ms Stacey said workers are speaking to all holiday hire bookings and asking them to stay away.

Private owners on the park have been asked to pack their bags and to be "sensitive" towards the needs of the local community and NHS.

She added: "Over the last 24 hours, there has been an increasing and understandable concern in local communities towards the owners of second homes and caravans as well as holiday visitors.

"The government's clear guidance is that there must be no unnecessary or non-essential travel - we are asking private owners who are not on the park not to come and, if they are on the park, we are asking them to please go home.

"We are following the governments guidance so closing to protect you and wider society."

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