Outdoor exercise may be banned, Hancock warns
OUTDOOR exercise could be banned if people flout the social distancing rules, the Health Secretary has warned.
Matt Hancock said sunbathing in public spaces was against the Government guidance, and told those who dared to disobey that they are putting their own and others’ lives at risk.
As temperatures rose across the country, some parks closed because too many people had ignored the advice to stay at home.
Mr Hancock told the BBC: “We’ve said it’s OK to go for exercise because both the physical and mental health benefits of getting some exercise are really important.
“I don’t want to have to take away exercise as a reason to leave home... if too many people are not following the rules.
“At the moment the vast majority of people are (following the guidance) but people should not break the rules because that will mean that the virus spreads more and then we might have to take further action.”
Yesterday First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was “concerned” to hear visitors were still travelling to parts of north and west Wales.
He added: “This is not essential travel. You will be fined by the police, but more importantly, you are putting yours and other people’s lives at risk.”
His comments came just days after the First Minister revealed the Welsh Government was to introduce a law compelling all employers to make sure their workers keep two metres apart amid the pandemic.
Mark Drakeford said the social distancing legislation, the first in the UK, will require bosses to “put the needs of their workforce first” when it comes into force, which is expected to be either today or tomorrow.
At the Welsh Government’s daily coronavirus briefing on Friday, the First Minister said the new law is in response to people in Wales saying they are fearful their health is being compromised in the workplace.
While many people did heed the advice to stay at home and protect lives over the weekend, some were still failing to follow the new rules.
Police forces across the country and the Welsh and UK Governments spent much of Friday and yesterday urging people to only go outside for daily exercise or essential food shopping, to try to combat the spread of coronavirus.
And although many people are listening, there are reports others are still ignoring the plea to stay in except for some form of local exercise once a day.
South Wales Police said it was receiving calls from people reporting others for breaching the lockdown.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “We are receiving more calls indicating that people are out and not adhering to the Government rules. We know it can be tough to stay at home, especially when the sun is out, but for the sake of our NHS, we’re asking everyone to play their part, and help to save lives.”
Sunbathers and exercise groups were told by police to go home from a Cardiff park after ignoring the government’s plea to stay indoors.
Police vans and officers patrolled Roath Park in Cardiff on Sunday as sunny weather hit the city.
Young men and women were seen dressed in gym gear as they carried out group exercises in the park.
Police also approached two men playing with an American football while another person lay on the grass soaking up the summer sun.
Officers from South Wales police drove onto the grass to speak to the members of the public.
Another breach of the lockdown involved a driver from Shropshire who took his Porsche out “for a spin” around Wales and will end up facing court