Following criticism of high-handed town and city councils throughout the UK, the government have urged them to keep their local parks open throughout the coronavirus pandemic, unless it’s impossible to do so.
Housing and Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has revealed that he had intervened in the controversy over the thousands of visitors who are flocking to open green spaces as the warmer weather becomes more regular as we get ever closer to the Easter Bank Holiday.
Jenricks said that he recognised the plight of people “who live in flats without gardens, cramped accommodation, who desperately need these open spaces”.
He said that he had enormous sympathy with local authorities and that closing parks and open spaces should be absolutely the “last resort”.
He added that local councils should be ‘very judicious’ in making that decision.
Due to the increasingly sunny conditions that people are experiencing – with temperatures expecting to rise to around 24C, Mr Jenrick implored people to stay inside despite the warm weather and impending Easter period.
He did, however, say that there were no “immediate plans” for greater restrictions after warning that outside exercise could be banned.
“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 that they deserve and need”, he said.
“But an exit strategy that’s sustainable will also have to be accompanied by much greater tracing than we are able to do today.
About whether it is acceptable to sit and enjoy the sun while exercising, Health Minister, Matt Hancock did clarify that sunbathing was against the rules.