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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chiara Fiorillo

Nurse says people flouting lockdown rules 'cuts so deep' after seeing people die

A nurse said they wish the people flouting lockdown rules could understand the pain felt by coronavirus patients when they die alone - without their loved ones next to them.

The nurse, who works for the NHS, made the comments on Twitter after Camden Town & Primrose Hill Police shared a photo showing dozens of people sunbathing this weekend.

The police force said they had previously moved on more than 100 people who were having picnics or were sunbathing at Primrose Hill yesterday.

They added that, when they went back to the same spot shortly after, they found a lot of people gathering again.

Camden Town & Primrose Hill Police tweeted: " #Disappointed is the only word to describe what we found in #PrimroseHill park."

People sunbathing at a London park (Daily Mirror)

A nurse replied: "As a nurse working in the NHS this cuts SO deeply.

"I wish each of those people sat there could hear the sound of a life support machine getting switched off with no one else around. #STAYHOME."

It comes after more than 3,000 people ignored the  coronavirus  lockdown rules on Saturday afternoon and flocked to Brockwell Park in south London.

Police at Primrose Hill (PA)
(PA)

Lambeth Council announced it would close the park today after advice to stay home was ignored.

The authority said in a statement: "Despite clear advice, over 3000 people spent today in Brockwell Park, many of them sunbathing or in large groups. This is unacceptable.

"Unfortunately, the actions of a minority now means that, following police advice, Brockwell Park will be closed tomorrow. #StayHome.

"We are sorry we've had to take this decision. This wouldn't need to happen if people followed the clear instructions from the Govt.

"We are doing this for the wider safety of the public. A minority of people have not followed the guidance - regrettably we have to act."

A group of cyclists relax in the sun at Regents Park (PA)
A man exercises at Kensington Gardens during the coronavirus lockdown (Daily Mirror)

Britons have been asked to stay at home and not be tempted to go out when the weather is warm - as is happening this weekend.

Government guidelines to fight the outbreak of the coronavirus allow people to go out only when necessary - to buy food, for medical reasons, for one form of exercise a day or to go to work if it cannot be done from home.

London Mayor  Sadiq Khan  has warned people not to gather in large groups amid social distancing rules - adding police would "step in" to stop those breaking the rules.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said sunbathing in public spaces is against the coronavirus social distancing rules.

Matt Hancock said sunbathing is against the rules (Sky News)

He added that if too many people flout the lockdown rules, the government will have to take action on allowing exercise.

He told Sky News's Sophy Ridge On Sunday: "The vast majority of people are following the public health advice, which is absolutely critical, and staying at home.

"But there are a small minority of people who are still not doing that - it's quite unbelievable frankly to see that there are some people who are not following the advice."

Asked whether sunbathing in public spaces was against the law, he said: "Sunbathing is against the rules that have been set out for important public health reasons."

He warned those who are flouting the guidance: "You are putting others' lives at risk and you are putting yourself in harm's way."

Matt Hancock has warned that the Government may restrict people's freedom to exercise outdoors if it is clear that people are flouting the rules.

Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, he said: "We've said it's OK to go for exercise because both the physical and mental health benefits of getting some exercise are really important.

"I don't want to have to take away exercise as a reason to leave home... if too many people are not following the rules.

"At the moment the vast majority of people are (following the guidance) but people should not break the rules because that will mean that the virus spreads more and then we might have to take further action."

The Department of Health and Social care that as of 5pm on 4 April 2020, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 4,934 have died.

As of 9am on 5 April 2020, 195,524 people have been tested, of which 47,806 were confirmed positive.

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