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Lockdown Brits finally stay at home as gloomy weather empties streets after bank holiday blowout
WINDY and dreary weather has had a massive impact on the number of people out flouting lockdown today much to the relief of medics and other key workers.
Covidiots flocked to parks and beaches all over the country yesterday, but Sunday seems to be a very different story with everything back to lockdown-normal.
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Frustrated cops were left despairing at Brits who broke the lockdown to eat pizzas and drink beer in parks despite Boris Johnson's pleas to stay home.
Hackney Police admitted they were "losing the battle" and couldn't stop people packing out green spaces and beaches in the balmy heat.
Matt Leat, duty commander with the Coastguard, said on Saturday: "People are ignoring the measures put into place by the Government.
"I completely understand that the weather and the bank holiday coupled with the fact that we’ve been in this lockdown situation for just over six weeks has tempted people out to our beautiful coasts.
"However, as the Government said only yesterday (Friday), it’s really vital that we all continue to observe the guidance."
However, with the windy and chilly weather, the final day of the May bank holiday has been a far calmer affair, with deserted streets and fewer people taking the opportunity to exercise.
Beaches like Brighton were left deserted and parks were left barren of picnics and small parties as the grotty weather set in.
Yesterday's chaos and blatant disregard for lockdown has also made an impact on Boris, who appears to be conceding defeat over forcing Brits to stay in on their days off over the summer months for fear of revolt.
The Government has now also altered its official rhetoric and coronavirus slogan to make the wording a bit softer, and encourage people to be sensible instead of outright telling them to stay in.
It also comes as the Prime Minister prepares to unveil his "roadmap" out of the lockdown this afternoon, but his new slogan to “stay alert” has already sparked a huge backlash from leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
They have now ditched the "stay home" element from the "stay home - save lives - protect the NHS" and have gone for a more lenient approach of "stay alert".
Boris will unveil his plan to take the UK out of lockdown on Sunday evening - with the reopening of garden centres expected to be among the measures.
The PM will also relax rules on exercising to allow unlimited walks, runs or cycles.
This morning the PM tweeted more detail about his new guidelines, insisting “this is how we can continue to save lives as we start to recover from coronavirus.”
They say:
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Work from home if you can
- Limit contact with other people
- Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
- Wash your hands regularly
The new advice has caused a massive backlash from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and even the PM's own cabinet, who point to the R number still being higher than where experts and leaders recommend before easing lockdown.
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Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon slammed Boris' new message, telling him to keep it south of the border, adding "I don't know what stay alert means".
She also tweeted: "It is of course for him to decide what's most appropriate for England, but given the critical point we are at in tackling the virus, #StayHomeSaveLives remains my clear message to Scotland at this stage."
Meanwhile, cops are worried that they are being made the “villains of the pandemic” for cracking down on Brits flouting social-distancing rules over the long weekend.
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Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick says different areas could have tougher lockdown levels
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