Warnings over mass gatherings in England
‘It was just mayhem’
LONDON, June 27, (AP): In many ways, it has been a perfect storm for illegal gatherings in England as days of hot weather and Liverpool Football Club’s first league title in 30 years have prompted people to abandon their coopedup coronavirus existence.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that authorities have the power to close beaches and other public spaces in England amid mounting concerns over the public’s adherence to social-distancing rules.
Following widespread rule-breaking at crammed beaches, illegal street parties in London that turned violent and a mass celebration in Liverpool on Thursday night, there were worries Friday that many residents have ditched their risk-averse attitude as the government eases its lockdown restrictions.
That’s particularly true in Bournemouth, a coastal town in southern England that witnessed huge crowds of sunseekers on its beaches in the past couple of days. With many people not working during the pandemic, most children out of school, holidays abroad curtailed and restaurants and bars closed until July 4, popular locations such as Bournemouth are feeling the pressure as the mercury rises.
“It was just mayhem. People just want to have a good time, but they just don’t give a monkey’s about others,” Pat Munday, 73, said.
Late Thursday, the hottest day of the year so far in the UK, three men from London in their 20s were stabbed following a fight near the amusements on the town’s pier. Their injuries were described as not life-threatening. Police are investigating.
With the hot weather persisting Friday, there was potential for more mass gatherings. The local council in Bournemouth said extra police patrols were brought in following the “irresponsible” behavior of crowds, but the beaches appeared less packed during the day than they did on Wednesday and Thursday.
Under lockdown restrictions in England, groups are limited to six people, and the public is advised to avoid public transport whenever possible.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned people against “taking liberties” with social distancing rules saying it could lead to a “serious spike” in new coronavirus infections.
“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,” Johnson said while visiting an east London restaurant ahead of the scheduled reopening of pubs and restaurants in England on July 4.
Bournemouth resident Munday described visitors double-parking their cars and blocking driveways, preventing emergency vehicles from getting through, and even of people using the gardens of her apartment block as a toilet.
“When they urinate in your garden, it’s the pits,” she said.
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LONDON: For the second night running, police officers in London have been attacked by revellers after trying to disperse crowds at an unlicensed music event.
Commander Bas Javid said extra officers, clad in personal protective equipment, had been called in to ensure there was an “effective and prompt response to any reports or disorder”.
He said the enhanced operation came in “direct response to concerns expressed by our communities, many of whom were scared and shocked by the events taking place outside their homes.”
Another gathering in Streatham, south London, was also dispersed but without any incident.
Under lockdown restrictions in England, groups are limited to six people but the warm weather over much of the past few weeks has seen far bigger gatherings take place.
Thursday’s street parties came at the end of a day meteorologists confirmed as the hottest of 2020. The mercury hit 33.3 C (around 92 F) at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Another hot day is anticipated for the capital on Friday.