Mini-heatwave is ‘unlikely to trigger surge in Covid cases’

BRITAIN is braced for its warmest ever March day but experts say the predicted mini-heatwave is unlikely to bring a wave of Covid infections.

Some parts of the country are expected to be hotter than Saint Tropez and Ibiza next week.

With the mercury forecast to reach 24C in the South East on Tuesday, this is nearing the UK’s maximum temperature for March – 25.6C in Mepal, Cambridgeshire in 1968.

The warm spell arrives as England ushers in the first significant relaxation of lockdown restrictions, with the “stay at home” order scrapped and two households or up to six people permitted to meet outdoors.

Scientists have warned that large outdoor gatherings could lead to an increase in coronavirus infections. However, they say that if social distancing rules are observed then people being outside more could even help curb transmission.

Linda Bauld, professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, said: “The most relevant point about warmer weather in the UK is that people will do more outside than inside. This is good news as we know outdoor transmission is far less likely than indoor.

“As long as crowding outdoors doesn’t occur, the risks are much less.”

Patrick Maxwell, regius professor of physic at the University of Cambridge, agreed: “I definitely think it is welcome news that the weather will be warmer. From a coronavirus perspective, we don’t yet have a good understanding (at least to the best of my knowledge) of the effects of sunlight, temperature and humidity. So it will be important that people maintain social distancing etc.

“Good ventilation of indoor spaces is helpful – so opening windows makes sense.”

Simon Wessely, regius professor of psychiatry at King’s College London, added: “Gathering outside, if that is what happens, is much less of a concern than gathering inside. So if we see pictures of people on beaches, we shouldn’t panic because I don’t think there have been any cases of transmission from a beach.”

The predicted mini heatwave comes as dozens of golf courses have dramatically increased their playing fees and membership costs.

Clubs are keen to “make hay while the sun shines”, according to managers.