Police urge British public not to gather in large groups over bank holiday weekend

Pictures show people flocking to parks and beauty spots

A police van patrols as people relax in Hyde Park. AFP

A person dressed in a chicken costume dances to music on Good Friday in London. Reuters

People congregate in Hyde Park in central London. AFP

Cyclists ride along The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace in London. Reuters

People walk past a mural of Captain Tom Moore by street artist Akse P19 in Manchester's North Quarter. AP Photo

Members of the Bamburgh Croquet club play a game in Northumberland. Reuters

The easing of the coronavirus restrictions allows people from more than one household to meet outdoors. AFP

London buses travel along Whitehall in Westminster in London. Reuters

Golfers play a round of golf at Seahouses Golf Club in Northumberland. Reuters

Britons are being urged not to gather in large groups in parks and beauty spots on Friday's bank holiday despite the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

Police in London said "we cannot allow the selfish actions of a small minority of people to jeopardise the efforts of this city" in reining in the spread of Covid-19.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also warned people to stay local and obey rule of six lockdown orders.
Pictures showed people flocking to UK parks since the latest stage of lockdown easing began on Monday, meaning people are no longer required to stay at home and can meet in groups of six outdoors.

Swimmers in Hampton Lido in London on the first day of the easing of lockdown restrictions in England. Reuters

People playing tennis at the Mersey Bowman Lawn Tennis Club in Liverpool. The relaxation of the stay-at-home order means organised sports have returned to England.

People play a round of golf at Batchwood in St Albans. Outdoor pools, tennis courts and golf courses will reopen just as warmer weather is forecast to hit England this week. Reuters

Stoke City's community walking football sessions resume following the easing of lockdown restrictions. Reuters

An aerial view of the Wave inland surfing centre in Bristol which has reopened. People can now take part in formal organised outdoor sports with any number of people. Getty Images

People play football at Powerleague in Stoke-on-Trent. Although outdoor sports have returned, indoor gyms will not reopen until April 12. Reuters

London’s Metropolitan Police said it will shut down illegal gatherings such as house parties or unlicensed music events.

Police officers will be ‘highly visible in parks and other parts of London and will intervene to break up groups of more than six, they said.

"If you're in England and seeing friends and family outside, keep to groups of up to six people or two households," he tweeted.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors, who is leading Scotland Yard’s response to Covid-19, said: “While we welcome the limited relaxation of rules, we don’t want to become complacent.

“We are hugely grateful to the vast majority of Londoners who have played a vital part in controlling the spread of the virus up to now. After a long and difficult few months, let’s not undo all of that hard work now.”

She said: “We cannot allow the selfish actions of a small minority of people to jeopardise the efforts of this city.

“We will continue to shut down house parties or dangerous raves quickly, taking enforcement action by handing out fines.

“We make no apology for our tough stance on shutting down those large gatherings, which pose a serious risk to public health.”

The estimated Covid-19 reproduction number in England is estimated at between 0.8 to 1.0, official figures showed on Friday.

That means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 8 and 10 others and a figure above 1 suggests the disease is growing.

The Met Office says the weather will be cooler on Good Friday, with conditions "changing dramatically" over the Easter weekend after a spell of warm weather.

Dr Katherine Henderson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said on Friday that "we're still very much in Covid mode".

"I think the message 'let's not blow it now' is the really key thing," she told Sky News on Friday.

"The number of hospital admissions are going down but there still will be asymptomatic spread going on in the community.

"The loosening of restrictions means that maybe vulnerable people will encounter people who have got Covid but are asymptomatic or minimally affected, and that's the risk."

London recorded a significant drop in infection and death numbers from Covid-19 since the third national lockdown was imposed in January.

Under government plans, the next stage of lockdown easing is due on April 12 when shops will be able to re-open and hospitality venues will be allowed to serve customers outdoors.

The plans set out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in February envisage that people could be allowed to meet indoors again from May 17.

The government hopes to end all legal restrictions on social contact by June 21.