Tory MP issues dire warning to public over coronavirus lockdown
TORY MP Brandon Lewis warned the public of the risks involved in breaking lockdown during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Mr Lewis warned that flouting rules creates extra pressure on front-line workers.
He said: “What I would say to people is that every time you do something that moves away from where the guidelines are, and you go out and do something that’s unnecessary you are creating that bit more risk of another person being ill.
"Putting more pressure on those people who are on the front line to who we all owe a huge debt for what they are doing.
"Actually, they are absolutely some of the people who need that opportunity themselves, to get out and have some exercise, some fresh air, that space."
Fiona Bruce then asked the Great Yarmouth MP: “Some people would say ‘why is it okay for some people to walk in the park for 20 minutes, but not okay to sit on a park bench for 20 minutes?'"
Mr Lewis then replied: “I think part of it is down to that social behaviour and the way that people work and interact with each other.
“If somebody goes into a park and is sitting on a bench or sitting down and sunbathing, and somebody else then decides to do the same, you very quickly get to a point where you haven’t got people out doing the exercise they need in the minimal amount of time outside the home to help flatten this curve.
“It’s getting the balance right and that is why we’re trying to do this in a way where we ask people to use their good common sense to follow the guidelines in a really sensible way that is thinking of others as well.
“At the core there is this thing about people on the front line, because every time you follow the guidelines, staying at home whenever you can other than that bit of exercise or if you have to get to work (…) you’re playing your part in saving a life.”
Warmer weather in the last week has seen Britons flouting guideline rules.
Police chiefs have called on the government to tighten lockdown measures as Easter weekend approaches.
More stringent restrictions to prevent people driving long distances are among options supported by at least five chief constables who want enforcement action to be bolstered by clearer and tougher government curbs.
Brandon Lewis’ appearance on Question Time follows the government considering extending the lockdown.
Oliver Dowden, the UK culture secretary, has suggested the public should prepare for an extension of the current three-week coronavirus lockdown that ends on Monday.
He told BBC Breakfast: “I don’t think it’s very likely these measures are going to be changed given they’re just starting to have an effect but, as we said, we would review them.
“It’s only prudent that on an ongoing basis we review them after three weeks.”
As of Friday morning the UK has seen 65,077 cases of coronavirus.
Of that number, 7,978 have died after contracting the virus.
Research conducted by King's College London and pollsters Ipsos Mori shows that nine out of 10 people support lockdown measures.
It also finds that 15 percent of the population already say they are finding the restrictions very challenging, with another 14 percent expect they will be unable to cope within the next month.
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