'THIS IS NOT A GAME'
Tories refuse to rule out tougher coronavirus lockdown measures as minister warns ‘this is not a game’
A TORY minister has refused to rule out tougher coronavirus lockdown measures and warned Brits "this is not a game".
Robert Jenrick said the government will explore “other options” if health advice is continually ignored by the public.
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The warning from the Communities Secretary came after reports of crowds flocking to seaside resorts this weekend.
While this morning Boris Johnson wrote to Brits urging them to stay at home on Mother's Day and added that we need “to act together” to avoid the same fate as Italy.
Mr Jenrick told Sky News' Sophy Ridge: "We want to live in a free society where we can continue to go about activities whilst following the medical advice.
This isn't a game, it is very serious People need to follow that advice. If people don't follow that advice then clearly we'll have to consider other options.
Robert Jenrick MP
“But this isn't a game, it is very serious
"People need to follow that advice. If people don't follow that advice then clearly we'll have to consider other options, but none of us want to go down that route."
The Tory MP said people can still go out for walks and take exercise, but they should stay away from others.
He added: "Lots of people sat out together in parks or on beaches. That isn't sensible. We strongly discourage that."
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RED ALERT
Today Britain’s coronavirus death toll rose to 244 - after new victims were reported in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Cases for the UK have soared to 5,132, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Health on Saturday.
London has been Britain's worst-hit city, but concerns are rising that people are not taking the threat seriously.
Last week pictures emerged on social media of a packed rush-hour Tube.
SADIQ'S WARNING
Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned Londoners that if the government advice is not adhered to - police could be brought in to forcibly enforce social distancing rules.
He told the BBC's Andrew Marr: “The Emergency Bill is quite clear for public health reasons, because we face a public health emergency, because we face a social emergency, because we face an economic emergency, these measures are in that bill.
“It is really important that police are focused on the priorities they’ve got, dealing with violent crime and other issues.
If people continue to act in a way that is leading to the disease spreading, these sort of things are things that will have to be considered.
Sadiq Khan
“But clearly if it is the case, if people continue to act in a way that is leading to the disease spreading, these sort of things are things that will have to be considered.”
Officials are concerned that if Brits don’t take the advice of the government on board – the UK could be set for a similar course as Italy.
Covid-19 has plunged the country intocomplete lockdown and brought hospitals to their knees.
Troops are now working round-the-clock to move coffins after the coronavirus pandemic claimed the lives of 793 people in a single day.
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Today Mr Johnson told the public: “The numbers are very stark, and they are accelerating. We are only a matter of weeks — two or three — behind Italy.
“The Italian death toll is already in the thousands and climbing.
“Unless we act together, unless we make the heroic and collective national effort to slow the spread — then it is all too likely that our own NHS will be similarly overwhelmed.”
Sadiq Khan says cops could enforce social distancing due to coronavirus fears
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