Sunbathers could cost everyone
● Hancock warns ‘small minority’ risking tough new measures ● Warning backed by Labour amid alarm over mental health
The right to exercise outdoors during the coronavirus lockdowncouldberemovedifpeople continue to break rules on social distancing and gather in parks during hot weather, the UK Government has warned.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said a “small minority” of people who were breaching guidelines risked costing the entire country the ability to go outside to walk, run and cycle.
Mr Hancock said he was “not planning any changes” to restrictions in the immediate future, but added that sunbathing in public was not allowed and should stop.
The warning sparked alarm over the mental health impact of a further clampdown on those living in flats without any green space.
His comments follow the closure of at least five large London parks due to what authorities claim was widespread breaking of social distancing guidelines.
Lewisham Council shut Brockwell Park on Saturday, saying 3,000 people had gathered there. And footage on social media showed police driving through Peckham Rye Common in South London, telling people to “exercise only, no sunbathing” through a loudhailer.
“The more people follow the rules then the faster we will all be through this,” Mr Hancock said in a press conference yesterday, adding that he had lost two people he was “fond of ” to coronavirus.
“Following these rules is mission-critical if we’re to protect the NHS, slow the spread and give the NHS time to expand capacity and so save lives.”
The Department of Health said the number of coronavirus-related hospital deaths in the UK stood at 4,934 as of 5pm on Saturday, up 621 from 4,313 the day before.
In Scotland, the official death toll rose by just two because of the way figures are reported on weekends.
The family of John Alagos, a 23-year-old NHS nursing assistant, revealed he had died after treating patients with coronavirus at Watford General Hospital.
Speaking on the BBC’S Andrew Marr Show earlier, the Health Secretary said he recognised “both the physical and mental health benefits of getting some exercise”.
But Mr Hancock added: “If the result 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 go out and do other things’, then I’m afraid we’ll have to take action.
“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 of people are following the rules. Let’s not have a minority spoiling it for everybody.”
Mr Hancock was backed in his warning by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the newly-elected leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer.
“We do have to take whatever steps are necessary,” the leader of the opposition said. “Social distancing, staying indoors, is really difficult for people. It’s particularly difficult if you don’t have a garden or you live 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 because if the health service can’t cope, people will die.”
Health Secretary
Mr Starmer added: “I know it’s tough, I know it’s difficult, we are all missing each other. We realise how much social contact matters, but I would support the Government in this if that’s what they decide to do.”
But the new Labour deputy leader, Angela Rayner, warned that tougher measures would penalise those living in flats and tower blocks who have no access to outdoor space.
“It’s alright for people who have got big houses and huge back gardens to say that,” Ms Rayner said. “But actually if you’re stuck in inadequate accommodation, you’ve got no back garden, you’ve got nowhere to go and you’re all on top of each other, quite literally, then I think people should do social distancing and should keep their distance but also be reasonable and proportionate about that.”
Ms Rayner, who like Mr Hancock has recovered from coronavirus, criticised the Health Secretary for only self-isolating for seven days, rather than the 14 recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Explaining why sunbathing was banned while walking or running was not, Dr Jenny Harries, the deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, said: “It is not just what you are doing but how you are doing it.
“If you are sitting on a park bench, people tend to accumulate – it is very difficult to prevent that.
“Having rules where we are getting all of the benefits and minimising the risks and harms is an important approach to maintain.”
Mr Hancock said it was unclear when the lockdown could be lifted because of ongoing questions around whether those who have had the illness have developed sufficient immunity.
He said: “Even for those of us who have had it where the science predicts it’s likely that our immunity is higher and our ability to transmit the virus is lower.
“We are not yet confident enough how high the immunity is and how much lower the likelihood of those of us who have had the disease transmitting it is, to be able change the rules.
“The rules are the same for everyone and will be until the science can give us confidence that we can say something different to those who have been through it.”
“If you don’t want us to ban exercise of all forms outside your own home then you’ve got to follow the rules and the vast majority are following the rules”
MATT HANCOCK
paris.gourtsoyannis@jpimedia.co.uk