Lockdown? No, we’re having a snow-ball!
As NHS advises us to ‘walk like a penguin’
excuse FOR home But for – some, to and many, obey keep it the the was warm. wintry advice the conditions perfect to stay across yesterday much provided of lockdown a rare chance Britain to wrap up, have fun and take outdoor exercise sledging, playing snowballs and building snowmen.
However, the crowds that resulted in some places led to police warnings reminding revellers to maintain social distancing and not to travel too far.
Parts of the South and South East, including London, saw their first falls of winter, while the combination of snow and sleet also affected the South West, North West, Midlands and Wales.
With temperatures expected to plunge as low as minus 6C (21F) to minus 10C (14F) last night, it left swathes of the country facing treacherous conditions from the resulting ice today. And it led to bizarre advice from the NHS to ‘walk like a penguin’ on slippery paths to avoid falls that could cause injury and leave hospitals even further overstretched.
One NHS website advises walkers to bend slightly, keep knees loose and point feet out slightly. Arms should be extended to your sides, walk flat footed, taking short slow steps and keep your centre of gravity over your feet. This is supposed to decrease the chance of slipping and ending up in A&E.
Many areas had more than 2in (5cm) of snow, with the Met Office recording 3.5in (9cm) in Coleshill, Warwickshire. Among those taking advantage was tennis star Sir Andy Murray, who shared an image of the snowman – with facemask and racket – he built at his Surrey home.
centres However, in Wales four vaccination were closed amid one in safety High Wycombe, concerns Buckinghamshire, while after the fire remained service cleared open snow Motorists from the were car park. urged to travel only if absolutely necessary, but even though gritters were out and there was less traffic than on a normal Sunday, there was still widespread chaos with collisions on the M3, M27 and M25. The A30 near Okehampton, Devon, the A394 at Rame, Cornwall, and the A346 in
Wiltshire were closed by accidents while a gritter skidded and overturned in the village of Holne on Dartmoor. A jackknifed lorry blocked the A148 near King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
The conditions appeared to cause confusion over what is and is not allowed under the lockdown rules. Surrey Police said: ‘ Enjoy the snow but please don’t involve other people. Please stay safe and remember that Covid regulations do still apply.’ In Swindon, around 200 people sledging in a park dispersed after officers expressed concerns over social distancing.
Milder and wetter weather is expected to move in from the Atlantic tomorrow – prompting concerns over further flooding.
Meteorologist Simon Partridge said that by Wednesday temperatures in the South may be back to 13C (55F). ‘It’s a bit of a rollercoaster from cold and wintry conditions to wet and windy ones,’ he said.
‘Covid rules do still apply’