Minister’s ‘40-mile trip’ to parents
A Cabinet minister reportedly travelled 40 miles to visit his elderly parents despite joining government calls to limit all but essential travel.
The Guardian reported that Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick travelled to his parents’ home in Shropshire last weekend.
Mr Jenrick is understood not to be denying the claim, but says he was dropping off food and medicine and maintained social distance during the visit.
Government guidance says “you should not be visiting family members who do not live in your home”, although an exception is made if you are looking after someone vulnerable or elderly.
It was reported that Mr Jenrick’s parents have been getting help with their groceries and medication from neighbours.
In an article two weeks ago, Mr Jenrick urged family members not to travel to visit elderly relatives and instead trust local communities to look after them.
“While we create physical distance between ourselves, we must at the same time have closer social support for our neighbour,” he wrote.
And on Mother’s Day, Mr Jenrick told Sky News: “The advice today is very clear. We need to stay at home for all bar the most essential activities, and by doing that we’ll protect the NHS and help to save lives.
“I know it’s Mother’s Day and I know it’s tough and it goes against everything that we want to do as a family, but don’t go and see your mum. Give her a phone call, Skype her, Facetime her, tell her that you love her and that we’re going to get through this together.”
A source close to the minister was quoted as saying: “Mr Jenrick went to drop off essential medicines and food to his parents who are self-isolating at home due to their age. He followed guidance and left the items outside their home.”
to discuss a review of the lockdown, ahead of a briefing next week by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
Mr Raab acknowledged that it was hard for people hoping togooutandbewiththeirfamilies over Easter, but he urged them to show restraint amid signs the measures were having an impact.
“As we look forward to the long bank-holiday Easter weekend, I know some people are going to start wondering is it time to ease up on the rules.
“So I’ve got to say thank you for your sacrifice. But also, we’re not done yet. We must keep going.”
The foreign secretary added: “Unfortunately right now we just can’t do those sorts of things and I am really sorry about that.
“It’s been almost three weeks and we’re starting to see the impact of the sacrifices we’ve all made.
“But the deaths are still rising and we haven’t yet reached the peak of the virus. So it’s still too early to lift the measures that we put in place.
“We must stick to the plan and we must continue to be guided by the science.”
Scottish Government’s National Clinical Director Jason Leitch said any outdoor activity over the Easter weekend should not last longer than an hour and should took place near a person’s address.
He added that long journeys and travel by car should only be undertaken if “unavoidable”.
Urging people to “use common sense”, Prof Leitch said: “Please exercise at home and, if you are going out for a daily walk, run or cycle, stay at least two metres away from people you don’t live with. Do not be tempted to go for a drive for leisure. This is about going for a short walk locally, a run or a short bike ride, not spending time on your favourite sport or hobby.
“If you travel further afield, there is a risk you might come into contact with other people, whether you plan to or not, so please keep this to an absolute minimum.
“Only use your car to get somewhere if it is unavoidable and please remember that even in these circumstances journeys must be kept short.”
Douglas Cairns, from Transport Scotland, said: “We know this is not how people would want to be spending their Easterbreak,butit’svitalthatweall play our part in these difficult times by following the guidance and keeping any travel to essential journeys only.”
Home secretary Priti Patel has said police checking supermarket trolleys is “not appropriate” after a warning from the chief constable of Northamptonshire Police.
“We will not, at this stage, be setting up road blocks,” Nick Adderley told a press conference. “We will not, at this stage, start to marshal supermarkets and checking the items in baskets and trolleys to see whether it’s a legitimate, necessary item.
“But again, be under no illusion, if people do not heed the warnings and the pleas I’m making today, we will start to do that.”
Mr Adderley later backtracked on his comments, describing his language as “clumsy”.
Ms Patel said that was “not the guidance” and said she was “absolutely not” considering tougher lockdown conditions.