Moment police rebuke sunbather in Streatham as they warn 'people are dying' amid Covid-19 outbreak

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David Child6 April 2020

Footage has surfaced showing police in London telling a sunbather to go home, saying it was "not essential" for her to be relaxing outdoors during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The incident, which took place in Streatham on Sunday, came as police throughout the UK faced the challenge of enforcing social distancing restrictions amid soaring temperatures over the weekend.

In the footage, a Metropolitan Police van can be seen driving across Streatham Common while an officer onboard reprimands a woman sat nearby.

"Madam, sunbathing is not essential, please go home," the officer is heard saying. "People are dying."

The incident came as Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned people not to flout rules around social distancing and said tougher restrictions could follow if existing measures were not observed.

Under the lockdown, people are only permitted to leave their homes to shop for essentials, exercise in public once a day, or provide support to an elderly or vulnerable person - provided they keep at least two metres apart from anyone they do not live with.

Lockdown Londoners bask in Greenwich Park sunshine - In Pictures

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Police have been granted the power to impose fines on people found flouting the restrictions and disperse group gatherings.

Speaking at the daily Downing Street Covid-19 briefing on Sunday, Mr Hancock said: "Following these rules is mission-critical if we’re to protect the NHS, slow the spread and give the NHS time to expand capacity and so save lives.

"The more people follow the rules then the faster we will all be through this.

"So I say this to the small minority of people who are breaking the rules or pushing the boundaries: you’re risking your own life and the lives of others and you’re making it harder for us all."

Mr Hancock's rebuke came 24 hours after Lambeth Council said it was forced to close one park in the borough after thousands of people ignored "stay-at-home" guidance and enjoyed the sunshine or met friends.

Brockwell Park's gates were locked to the public on Sunday after 3,000 people visited a day earlier, the council said, with "many of them sunbathing or in large groups".

The council called the behaviour "unacceptable" and blamed the closure on the "actions of a minority".

There were similar scenes on Primrose Hill in Camden, where police moved on more than 100 people who were picnicking or had met with friends.

Meanwhile, on the south coast, Brighton and Hove City Council said on Saturday that too many people were meeting up with friends, making social distancing "impossible".

A forecasted bout of warm weather across much of the UK over the weekend had led to warnings from local councils, tourism bosses and police urging people to stay away from coastal areas, national parks and other visitor destinations.

Commenting on the weekend's developments, Housing and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told the BBC's Today Programme on Monday there were no "imminent plans" to impose greater restrictions amid rising concern more stringent measures could disproportionately affect people without access to a garden or outdoor space at home.

"But we do keep each of these measures under review," he added.

"It would be very unfortunate if we had to do so and make it harder for people, particularly people who live in flats in towns and cities, to get the exercise they deserve.

"Nobody wants to see that happen."

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