DON’T BE TEMPTED

FROM PAGE ONE we cannot afford to relax the social distancing measures. We cannot relax our discipline now. “If we do, people will die.” Hancock’s warning at the daily Downing Street press conference was echoed by Ruth May, England’s chief nursing officer. She appealed for people not to be “tempted” to go out and put the lives of NHS staff at risk. May spoke after two nurses in their 30s, Areema Nasreen and Aimee O’Rourke, who each had three children, died alongside two healthcare assistants in the fight against the pandemic.

May said: “They were one of us – they were one of my profession, of the NHS family.”

“I worry that there’s going to be more and I want to honour them today and recognise their service.”

She added: “This weekend is going to be very warm and it will be very tempting to go out and enjoy those summer rays.

“But please, I ask you to remember Aimee and Areema. Please stay at home for them.”

Scots on lockdown can expect a mini-heatwave this weekend, with temperatures matching Barcelona.

The mercury will peak at about 4pm on Sunday with temperatures well above the April average of 11C.

The public were also reminded to prepare for a long haul against the spread of Covid-19 as the UK endured its deadliest day of the pandemic.

There were 684 fatalities recorded in previous 24 hours, bringing the total to 3605.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also yesterday urged the public to stick with social distancing despite the forecast good weather.

He said: “People will be starting to think that this is all going on for quite a long time and would rather be getting out there, particularly if you’ve got kids in the household.

“I urge you not to do that. Please stick with the guidance.”