Johnson warns the public ‘do not take liberties’
BORIS JOHNSON has warned people against “taking liberties” with social distancing rules as he said it could lead to the danger of a “serious spike” in coronavirus infections.
The comments come after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Government will take action if distancing measures are ignored as thousands flocked to the south coast on the hottest day of the year on Thursday.
Speaking during a visit to a restaurant in east London ahead of an easing of lockdown on July 4, the Prime Minister said: “If you look at what’s happening elsewhere in the world where people have been coming out of lockdown, I’m afraid what you’re also seeing is people taking too many liberties with the guidance, mingling too much, not observing social distancing.
“So in some parts of the world – I won’t name them – you have got spikes, really serious spikes, in the instance of the disease, so it is crucial that people understand that on July 4 we get this right, we do this in a balanced way.”
Despite Mr Hancock’s warning of possible beach closures, Downing Street yesterday signalled such a move would be a matter for local authorities.
Pressed on whether the Government would close beaches, a Number 10 spokesman told a Westminster briefing: “It is for local authorities to manage numbers. I believe Matt Hancock, when he spoke, was referring to the powers to impose localised lockdowns which we have been clear throughout may need to be the case if we see case numbers rise in a particular area.”
Mr Hancock told TalkRadio on Thursday the Government had the power to close public areas such as beaches if people flout safety restrictions.
It comes as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council declared a major incident after services were “completely over
stretched” as huge numbers of visitors crowded onto the beaches during the day.
Chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty later urged people to follow social distancing rules in the hot weather or risk causing a spike in coronavirus. He wrote on Twitter: “Covid-19 has gone down due to the efforts of everyone but is still in general circulation.
“If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again.
“Naturally people will want to enjoy the sun but we need to do so in a way that is safe for all.”
In an interview with TalkRadio, Mr Hancock said he was “reluctant” to go down the route of shutting public spaces as “people have had a pretty tough lockdown”. But he added that if there was a spike in the number of coronavirus cases “then we will take action”.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said extra police patrols had to be brought in following the “irresponsible” behaviour of crowds who gridlocked roads and parked illegally.
Separately, police have condemned the thousands of Liverpool fans who filled the streets outside Anfield after the club won the Premier League.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Carden said Merseyside had been “disproportionately affected” by the coronavirus pandemic and its residents had a responsibility to prevent further cases.
He said: “The overwhelming majority of fans have recognised the fact that now is not the time to gather together to celebrate, and chose to mark the event safely. They are a credit to this city.
“Unfortunately, as we have seen throughout the lockdown period, not everyone adhered to the regulations in place. Although the vast majority of celebrations were good natured, a large number of people chose to gather outside the stadium.”
About 100 fans gathered outside the Main Stand at Anfield for when the final whistle blew on Thursday’s Chelsea v Manchester City match, securing Liverpool
the title with seven games to spare.
Meanwhile, police chiefs have said people must take “more personal responsibility” when Covid-19 lockdown measures are further eased on July 4 as fines for breaches dropped to their lowest level.
Tickets handed out in the two weeks to June 22 fell to just 189 from a high of 5,280 in the fortnight to April 27, according to provisional data released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council. The figures show the lowest levels of enforcement since the lockdown began.
If we do not follow social distancing guidance ... cases will rise again.
Chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty.