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The British were warned not to break COVID rules and ‘spoil’ the progress made in fighting the virus, ahead of what could be the hottest March day on record in the UK.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock issued the warning in a tweet Tuesday night, saying, “Let’s enjoy the sun, but let’s do it safely. We’ve come so far, don’t screw it up now.”
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he hoped people would take advantage of the “good weather” to play sports or exercise, as lockdown restrictions were relaxed on Monday, while emphasizing that the country should “proceed With precaution”.
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Brighton burns on hottest March day in 53 years
The United Kingdom highest temperature in March in 53 years it was recorded in Kew Gardens, London, on Tuesday afternoon, where it reached 24.5 ° C (76.1 ° F), according to the Met Office.
Meteorologist Alex Burkhill said it was a “possibility” that Wednesday temperatures could surpass the March record of 25.6 ° C (78 ° F), set in 1968 at Mepal in Cambridgeshire.
People from all over England can now meet in groups of up to six or as two households in parks and gardens, and outdoor team sports can also resume.
The warm weather saw people flock to the beach and parks Tuesday to enjoy the sun with family and friends for the first time in months.
Images and images, including on social media, showed neighbors sharing a drink in the gardens, groups picnicking in green spaces, surfers on the beaches, and children on the playgrounds.
A police officer speaks to a group of people on Tuesday, the hottest day in March in 53 years, following the easing of confinement restrictions.
People gathered on Primrose Hill, North London, at sunset last night
However, some also showed a large number of people congregating, ignoring the rules of social distancing, people leaving huge amounts of trash in parks, bonfires to burn and even a fight.
Hundreds of people flocked to Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield, Manchester, and one resident told the Manchester Evening News: “The rule of six has gone out the window.”
Images posted online captured a fight, dozens of people drinking and dancing at large parties and leaving piles of rubbish at Nottingham Arboretum.
Nottinghamshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Steve Cooper told Nottinghamshire Live: “We are really disappointed in the behavior we saw there last night. Now is not the time to act like the rules have been completely dropped.”
“We are near the end and the vast majority of people there will not have been vaccinated and now they could end up spreading the virus in the community; that is what we are trying to stop. It is not preventing people from having fun, it is the consequences of the virus “.
The crowds enjoyed the sun in Southend-on-Sea yesterday. Image: David Parry / Shutterstock
Surfers headed to Bournemouth Beach in Dorset
The Metropolitan Police added to the warning with its tweet: “Facilitation of the confinement. Let’s take the next step safely.”
One person posted a picture of overflowing dumpsters at Heaton Park in Newcastle upon Tyne and wrote on Twitter: “Looks like there has been a festival, certainly not groups responsible for 6!”
However, this week’s blue skies and sunny weather are not expected to last.
Temperatures are expected to drop in eastern England from Thursday, only “reaching double digits,” Burkhill said.
Wet weather is forecast for Easter Sunday, with a chance of sleet or snow in Scotland and the far north of England.
