Relief for the fun police as Boris Johnson eases lockdown restrictions
Relief for the fun police: Britons are told they can exercise as much they like and are free to drive meaning a break for under-fire officers – but STILL no word on when whole families can reunite
- The PM announced the easing of some lockdown restrictions from Wednesday
- People will be allowed to drive anywhere, sunbathe and play sport with families
- However, he didn’t say a word on when whole families will be able to reunite
Police officers across the country will be breathing a sigh of relief this evening after Boris Johnson announced the easing of several lockdown measures.
Addressing the nation this evening, the Prime Minister announced that from Wednesday Britons will be allowed sunbathe in parks, drive to other destinations and even play sports – though only with members of their own households.
Strict social distancing measures will continue to remain in place – with even harsher fines for those who breach them.
It comes after weeks of battles between police and covidiots, with officers moving on sunbathers, stopping people from playing supports and fining those who travel to the countryside from cities.
Mr Johnson said in his speech this evening: ‘From this Wednesday, we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise.
People exercising out and about in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow during lockdown earlier today
Addressing the nation this evening, the Prime Minister announced that from Wednesday Britons will be allowed sunbathe in parks, drive to other destinations and even play sports
‘You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household.
‘You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.’
Though some will celebrate the news, others have reacted with alarm at the PM’s announcement.
Cumbria’s tourism board tweeted: ‘We are shocked by the timing and short notice of tonight’s announcement. We are awaiting further details but the safety of residents must come first.
‘For now, tourism businesses in Cumbria remain closed and we urge everyone to continue to £StayHome.’
Police Superintendents’ Association president, Paul Griffiths, said: ‘My message to the Government has not changed – we need clear and consistent communication with both the public and the police, so that society as a whole understands how this will work.
Sunbathers in Greenwich Park, London yesterday. The Metropolitan Police Federation (MPF) said that, despite its assertions to the contrary, the Government is sending out mixed messages
Police officers in a patrol car move sunbathers on in Greenwich Park, London, May 9 as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus
‘It is also essential that all sectors play their role in ensuring social distancing, as this cannot fall to policing alone.
‘Our service has once again been shown as responsive and resilient throughout this crisis, despite the significant challenges it has faced.
‘The vast majority of the public have worked with us and the efforts and achievements of our workforce have repeatedly been praised at the highest level.
‘We will continue to work with the Government and other key police stakeholders, as the law for England is amended this week, to ensure our officers and staff have a clear understanding and expectation of their role as we enter a new phase of restrictions.
‘Police should rightly feel proud of everything they have done to help save lives – our efforts will continue to be vital in getting us through this national emergency.’
It comes as a police Chief Superintendent who went into a coma while battling coronavirus has hit out at ‘blasé’ lockdown breakers – as a spokesman for London officers branded the government’s response to the crisis ‘wishy washy’.
The weekend saw bank holiday sunbathers flock to parks across the country to revel in the sunshine – a spectacle that will likely be repeated today as the country seemingly returns to normality despite the continuing restrictions.
West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, who spent 26 days in hospital with coronavirus and battled the deadly virus for 13 days in intensive care, criticised those who flout the government measures.
He said: ‘A month ago today, on a ventilator and in a coma, I started to breathe for myself!
‘I am [very] disturbed by the increasingly blasé way people are treating the lockdown.
‘With lack of answers around immunity, my family and I are going to remain shielding. I can’t go through that again.’
And a Metropolitan Police Federation (MPF) spokesperson said that despite its assertions to the contrary, the Government is sending out mixed messages.
MPF’s Ken Marsh told BBC Radio 4 that authorities ‘needed to be firmer right from the beginning’.
He said: ‘It’s been quite wishy-washy how we’ve gone about it.
‘Had we been very stringent from the off – it is painful, but it’s not overly painful in terms of what you’re actually being asked to do – then I think we would have a better result now.’
Yesterday police admitted they are ‘fighting a losing battle’ as parks and beaches were packed full of people.
Britons were out in their droves as temperatures hit 26C (78.8F) on the South Coast, matching the temperature recorded in Treknow, in Cornwall, on Good Friday, making it hotter than Ibiza and St Tropez.
Hundreds flocked to London fields where Hackney police said they were powerless to stop those out enjoying the sun from drinking and eating pizza.
The exasperated force tweeted a picture of the packed park and said: ‘Sadly we’re fighting a losing battle in the parks today. Literally hundreds of people sitting having pizza, beers, wines. As always a big thank you to those that are observing the guidelines.’
In scenes replicated around the country, the Coastguard said that on Friday it had the highest number of call-outs since lockdown began, with 97 incidents, 54 per cent more than the average of 63 recorded for the previous month.
Traffic officers in Brighton were stopping cars at the end of the A23, which leads to the south coast seaside network, and officers fined visitors trying to visit for the bank holiday.
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