LOCKED DOWN & OUT

Thousands flock to UK beauty spots during first weekend of national covid lockdown as Brits enjoy the great outdoors

Kevin Adjei-Darko

Published: 21:33, 8 Nov 2020
Updated: 10:31, 9 Nov 2020

THOUSANDS flocked to beauty spots in the country during the first weekend of the national Covid lockdown as Brits enjoyed the great outdoors.

Many fled to the Peak District on the fourth day of the lockdown, as others were seen exercising and walking their dogs in parks across London.

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People were spotted exercising at a busy Hyde Park in London Credit: AFP or licensors

Families are seen on the hills of the Peak District Credit: Mercury Press

Richmond Park was filled with people as some rode bikes and others went for a jogCredit: London News Pictures

The Government announced a second lockdown, which begun on Thursday in response to the increasing rates of coronavirus infections.

As part of the rules, all non essential shops have been forced to shut.

Different households have also been banned from mixing as gyms, pubs and restaurants have been told to close their doors in a desperate bid to curtail the spread of the deadly bug.

This however, did not stop many from braving the cold and wet weather to hit the Peak District this afternoon.

Car parks are full in the countryside as people brave the weather to hit the Peak District Credit: Mercury Press

Members of the public walk alongside Bournemouth beach despite the Government's order to stay home Credit: Bournemouth News

Others were seen taking walks along Bournemouth Beach despite the Government's advice to stay home.

Streets in central London such as Soho, however, were empty, backing up data that Londoners followed social distancing measures than people in other parts of the country over the summer, according to Mail Online.

Streets in central London were uncharacteristically empty on the first weekend of the lockdownCredit: Rex Features

Central London was virtually empty as all non-essential shops were forced to shutCredit: Rex Features

Data collected anonymously of mobile phone movements by Google show that while other areas of the UK opened up after months of lockdown, Londoners remained careful.

As people visited pubs and restaurants after the lockdown between July to September, people in London either stayed inside or made use of socially distanced outdoor venues, according to the data.

Figures released today reveal that there were 20,572 cases recorded, which is a decline of about 12 per cent, compared to last Sunday's figures.

Families headed to parks in London despite the second England lockdownCredit: London News Pictures

A woman is seen enjoying the waves at Bournemouth beachCredit: Alamy Live News

Three women are seen cycling at a busy Green Park in LondonCredit: AFP or licensors

A total of 156 new coronavirus deaths were reported today in the country.

In England, 127 deaths were recorded with Scotland reporting three.

Wales saw 19 deaths along with 744 new cases of the virus.

The country is expected to come out of its "firebreak" lockdown tomorrow.

In Northern Ireland, seven deaths were reported with 420 new infections.

This brings the total number of Covid deaths in the country to 49, 044.

However, prime minister Boris Johnson and foreign secretary Dominic Raab have double down on their commitment to ensure the lockdown is not extended beyond December 2.

Mr Johnson was forced to introduce lockdown measures after scientists made a harrowing prediction that the UK could see up to 1,000 deaths a day by December if action was not taken.