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Matt Hancock threatens to ban ALL outdoor exercise and reveals he knows two people who have died
MATT Hancock has threatened to ban all outdoor exercise if people don't follow the rules.
After photographs of people ignoring the lockdown measures and spending their weekends lying around sunning themselves emerged, the Heath Secretary came out to remind them why Britain is in a strict lockdown.
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At last night's daily press conference he started off by telling the public he understood their pain, as two people he knew had passed away.
He told the nation: "I've lost two people that I was fond of, so I understand what a difficult time this is for the country."
One of them was Stephen Dick, the British deputy ambassador in Hungary.
The other was Peter Sinclair, one of his mentors at the Bank of England - who was also David Cameron's former tutor.
The number of deaths rose to nearly 5,000 on Sunday - with the loss of 621 more lives.
And Mr Hancock warned those who were not complying: "To the small minority who are breaking rules - you are risking your own life and the lives of others, and making it harder for us all."
Mr Hancock told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "We've said because of the positive benefits to your physical and your mental health that it's OK to exercise on your own or with members of your own household.
"But if the result of that is that too many people go out and flout the other rules because they say 'well if I can exercise then it's fine for me to do other things' then I'm afraid we will have to take action.
"If you don't want us to take the step to ban exercise of all forms outside the home, you have got to follow the rules.
"Let's not have a minority spoiling it for everybody."
However, he admitted that the Government had no plans to change any rules "imminently".
No.10 stressed that a ban on exercise was not about to be announced.
If you don't want us to take the step to ban exercise of all forms outside the home, you have got to follow the rules.
Matt Hancock
He said it was "quite unbelievable" that some were openly ignoring the advice to only go outside for just four reasons - exercise, work, fetching medicine or food, or taking care of the vulnerable.
"We are crystal clear in the guidance what people should or shouldn't do," he stressed.
"This is not a request, it's a requirement.
"People need to follow it."
Mr Hancock also used the daily briefing to urge people suffering to report their symptoms on a - to help better understand the virus.
He also took the chance to have a pop at Scotland's Chief Medical Officer - who The Sun revealed had been caught travelling to her second home on two occasions despite telling others not to do so.
"These rules are for everyone," he said pointedly.
And he stressed that although the lockdown measures were a huge challenge for the nation, social contact would mean so much more to Brits after it is lifted.
He told the country: "I know what a challenge this can be for families.
"The cruel thing is that it thrives on social contact and the human bonds which bring so much to life.
"All the things we miss - going to a pub for pint, reading a book outside, or hugging a grandchild - we will have these moments again, and they will mean even more to us."
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Labour's new leader Sir Keir Starmer said he would support tougher lockdown measures such as an exercise ban or stopping all non-essential work if the rules carry on being flouted.
He told the BBC: "We have to take whatever steps are necessary."
The ignorant sunbathers ignored warnings from Britain's chief nurse on Friday afternoon, who begged them to listen.
Ruth May urged them to do it for the two nurses, both mothers, who lost their lives in the Covid-19 fight this week.
Aimee O’Rourke, 38, and Areema Nasreen, 36, sadly passed away after treating coronavirus patients on the frontline.
Two other healthcare assistants have also died in the last 24 hours - with nine medics now killed by the virus.
Boris Johnson also stressed to the public they must avoid the temptation of enjoying the good weather.
He said: "Thank you to everyone who is saving lives by staying at home this weekend.
"I know it's tough, but if we all work together and follow the guidance, we will beat coronavirus."
On Saturday Brockwell Park in London said it would close after 3,000 people "ignored" the rules.
Police in the UK capital were also forced to break up an 18th birthday attended by 25 guests who flouted the social distancing guidelines set out by the government amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Surrey Road Police also shared a shocking video of Richmond Bridge in West London packed with people out walking along the Thames.
In a tweet, they urged Brits to "PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stay at home."
Police were also out in force in Brighton in case Brits descend on the seaside town to enjoy the mini heatwave.
Labour's new deputy leader, Angela Rayner, said it was easy for Mr Hancock to advise people to stay inside when people have big gardens to go out in.
She told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "Well it's all right for people who have got big houses and huge back gardens to say that.
"But actually if you're stuck in inadequate accommodation, you've got no back garden, you've got nowhere to go and you're all on top of each other, quite literally, then I think people should do social distancing and should keep their distance but also be reasonable and proportionate about that."
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Mr Hancock also said that eight per cent of NHS staff are off sick with coronavirus - which would be around 100,000 out of the total 1.2million workforce.
The news came as a fresh study showed the confidence in the Government's handling of the crisis has dropped this week.
A survey by Opinium revealed that last week two-thirds of people approved of Downing Street’s actions, but this has now fallen to 52 per cent.
Meanwhile the number who disapprove has risen to 29 per cent.
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