Coronavirus: Outdoor exercise could be banned if Britons continue to flout lockdown rules, government warns

Matt Hancock has warned the UK government could introduce a tougher lockdown and ban outdoors exercise if members of public continue to flout strict coronavirus guidelines on social distancing.

It comes after the health secretary said that people sunbathing in parks as the country experiences its warmest weather in six months were breaking restrictions outlined by Boris Johnson almost a fortnight ago.

The latest figures from the Department of Health and Social Care showed that a further 708 people in the UK had lost their lives after contracting covid-19, including seven healthcare professionals, bringing the death toll to 4,313.

As it stands, the government’s lockdown guidelines allow for one form of exercise each day, including a run or a walk, as ministers believe it is crucial for people’s physical and mental health during the pandemic.

“But if the result of that is that too many people go out and flout the other rules because they say ‘well if I can exercise then it’s fine for me to do other things’ then I’m afraid we will have to take action,” Mr Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme.

He added: “I don’t want to have to take that action, of course I don’t, but we have already demonstrated that we are prepared to take the action that’s necessary to get this virus under control.

“So my message is really clear. If you don’t want us to have to take the step to ban exercise of all forms outside of your own home then you’ve got to follow the rules and the vast majority people are following the rules. Let’s not have a minority spoiling it for everybody.”

Labour’s new leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said his party would support government ministers if they believed a tougher lockdown was necessary to stem the spread of coronavirus. He told the BBC he would engage constructively with Conservatives and vowed not to seek to score party political points – nor demand the impossible – during the crisis.

Asked if he would support further restrictions on exercise if people flout the rules, Sir Keir said: “Yes we would – we do have to take whatever steps are necessary, and social distancing, staying indoors is really difficult for people, it’s particularly difficult if you don’t have a garden, if you’re in a flat; and I know there are many people in overcrowded accommodation.

“But we’ve got to get through this and every time people break the guidance from the Government they put other people at risk.”

Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk