Parents hit out at Gulliver's Valley's rule on face masks for children aged 3 and above

Gulliver's Valley, near Rother Valley, opened on 11 July with new safety measures in place to protect staff and visitors. As part of this, everyone over the age of three must wear a face covering on all rides and play attractions. Exemptions are only made on medical grounds.

Children under the age of 11 are exempt from wearing face coverings in other settings which require them, such as public transport and, from 24 July, shops.

The resort said its “unique environment” necessitates the rule.

A post on their website read: “You will recognise that rides and attractions are places where our operators must come into close contact with guests, where people scream, laugh and shout, and where people are in rapid or irregular motion, moving quickly into airspace previously occupied by another.

“It is owing to these environmental and behavioural conditions that we implemented the necessary safety controls.”

However, several parents on social media said they will not visit the park as a result.

Becky Rose wrote: “My children are three and five and there is no chance of mask-wearing, talk about spreading fear into little ones lives.”

Sheri Copeland said: “I can't imagine a day out here with everyone having to wear face coverings is going to be much fun.”

Megan Brownsword added: “We were really looking forward to visiting but my little girl has recently turned three and I don’t see how you can explain to a three-year-old they have to keep a face mask on.”

Some welcomed the rule, however.

Sophie Mann wrote: “We visited yesterday and my youngest has just turned three and never worn a mask but every time we went on a ride asked for his mask and wore it without any complaint.

"Totally complied with Gulliver's requirements and had the best family day out. Highly recommend.”

Jennifer Louise Edwards wrote: “Agree with everything in your statement and can find no fault to what we have experienced in your way of protecting those that visit 'Gully's House'.”