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Friends, family and couples who have been separated for almost eight weeks will be able to meet in parks under England’s new closing rules.
As long as a two-meter distance is maintained and people “stay alert,” they will be allowed to sunbathe or converse with someone else from a different home, a government official confirmed.
It means that loved ones who have been forced to separate for almost two months will be able to meet in person, as long as they respect the rules of social estrangement.
The easing of the restrictions, which will take effect on Wednesday, initially generated some confusion, as Boris Johnson indicated in his national speech on Sunday night that sunbathing could only be done with members of the same household.
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He said, “You can sit in the sun at your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports, but only with members of your own home.”
But a government official later confirmed that as long as they are two meters away, people will be able to relax and chat with someone from another home.
Johnson had previously warned people that if friends outside a home asked to meet, they should refuse.
Addressing the British public at the start of the shutdown on March 23, Johnson said, “You shouldn’t be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you must say no.
“You shouldn’t run into family members who don’t live in your home.”
A month since the UK closed – in pictures
1/11
The M5 motorway, looking south towards Devon
Pennsylvania
11/2
An almost deserted Reuters square in Canary Wharf
Pennsylvania
11/3
A popular riverside promenade along the Thames near London’s Tower Bridge is nearly empty.
Pennsylvania
11/4
The lobby of London Waterloo Station is almost devoid of commuters.
Pennsylvania
11/5
Empty streets and pavements surround Little Ben, a cast iron miniature clock tower, located at the intersection of Vauxhall Bridge Road and Victoria Street
Pennsylvania
11/6
Horse Guards Parade in London is empty as tourists stay away
Pennsylvania
11/7
Liverpool seafront is practically deserted
Pennsylvania
11/8
Empty streets in Newcastle upon Tyne
Pennsylvania
9/11
An empty shopping arcade at Windsor Station
Pennsylvania
11/10
King’s Parade, with King’s College (left) and the Senate Chamber (distance) in Cambridge
Pennsylvania
11/11
A view of a nearly deserted Waterlooville city center in Hampshire
Pennsylvania
1/11
The M5 motorway, looking south towards Devon
Pennsylvania
11/2
An almost deserted Reuters square in Canary Wharf
Pennsylvania
11/3
A popular riverside promenade along the Thames near London’s Tower Bridge is nearly empty.
Pennsylvania
11/4
The lobby of London Waterloo Station is almost devoid of commuters.
Pennsylvania
11/5
Empty streets and pavements surround Little Ben, a cast iron miniature clock tower, located at the intersection of Vauxhall Bridge Road and Victoria Street
Pennsylvania
11/6
Horse Guards Parade in London is empty as tourists stay away
Pennsylvania
11/7
Liverpool seafront is practically deserted
Pennsylvania
11/8
Empty streets in Newcastle upon Tyne
Pennsylvania
9/11
An empty shopping arcade at Windsor Station
Pennsylvania
11/10
King’s Parade, with King’s College (left) and the Senate Chamber (distance) in Cambridge
Pennsylvania
11/11
A view of a nearly deserted Waterlooville city center in Hampshire
Pennsylvania
The day after the introduction of the stringent measures, the prime minister’s spokesperson insisted that “the rules are clear” when asked about couples who did not live together.
He said, “When you are out of the house, you should only do it with members of your own home or for work reasons.”
The prime minister’s spokesman said at the time that the exemptions to the rules on being away from home applied in two settings: key workers taking their children to school and children living with two separate parents.
