London, Jun 20 (IANS): Revellers were being urged not to head to Stonehenge for this year's summer solstice celebrations due to a ban on mass gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was reported on Saturday.

Traditionally about 10,000 people gather at the Neolithic monument in Wiltshire, on or around June 21, to watch the sun rise on the longest day of the year, reports the BBC.

This year, Stonehenge has been closed to visitors since mid-March and people wanting to celebrate the sunrise at 4.52 a.m., on June 21 were being urged to stay away.

The sunrise will be livestreamed online instead.

"We know how strong the draw to come is for some people," the BBC quoted Stonehenge director Nichola Tasker asssaying.

"But please do not travel to Stonehenge this summer solstice, watch it online instead."

The National Trust has also closed Avebury and asked visitors "not to travel to the area".

Stephen Stacey, from Avebury Parish Council, said it was "not able to accommodate large numbers of visitors" this year.

Stonehenge is a monument that aligns to the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset.

On the summer solstice, the central Altar stone at Stonehenge aligns with the Heel stone, the Slaughter stone and the rising sun to the north east.