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.
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."
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.
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.
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