Britons defy Boris Johnson by flocking to parks despite coronavirus threat
LONDONERS flocked to parks across the capital this weekend, sparking fierce backlash from the government over social-distancing and putting the vulnerable at risk.
Coronavirus: Public visit Richmond Park in London
Photos shared on social media showed London’s parks full to the brim this weekend after many enjoyed an early spring day and their first venture out after a week of self-isolation. However, with many having the same idea, parks across the capital soon became overcrowded, with queues and strangers brushing shoulders - breaking the social distancing protocol deemed vital to curb the virus' spread.
Parks in parts of London are now being shut after senior figures labelled the events observed over Saturday and Sunday as “irresponsible”.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan urged people to "stop social mixing", saying "people will die" if they don't.
He said people should not leave home "unless you really have to".
In Hammersmith and Fulham, council authorities announced that they would close parks from Sunday night.
Royal Parks, responsible for Hyde, Regent’s and St James’ Parks, are closing kiosks and cafes.
The scenic Richmond, Bushy and Greenwich parks experienced surges in incoming traffic over the weekend.
It has led to roads to outer parks now being closed, wth the Royal Parks calling social distancing "absolutely crucial".
The body said: "If people do not follow social distancing guidelines, we will have no choice but to consider closing the parks.”
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Nearly 2,000 people have been infected with the virus in the capital, while 93 have died.
Mr Khan told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show the capital was "weeks ahead of the rest of the country” - meaning London expects the worse to come next month.
When asked if the London Underground should be shut down completely, the mayor said he was keen to keep some trains running in order to allow essential workers to go about their business.
However, he warned: "Nobody else should be using public transport.”
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The National Trust, which initially announced it would open parks and gardens amid the escalating virus outbreak in the UK, was forced to close its parks and gardens over the weekend.
It said countryside and coastal car parks were "now likely to be closed".
In Wales, Snowdonia National Park said the area "experienced its busiest ever visitor day in living memory" on Saturday, with other beaches and mountain summits busy.
And, on Saturday, coastal resorts were packed and the Yorkshire Dales National Park chief executive David Butterworth said visitor behaviour "beggars belief" as social distancing guidance was flouted.
Meanwhile, an 18-year-old Briton has become the youngest person to die in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus.
All the deaths so far have were in vulnerable groups with underlying health conditions.
In England, 37 more people who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.
The total number of confirmed deaths there now stands at 257.
Nationwide, the UK has seen an increase in infections by 635, bringing the total to 5,683, the Department of Health said.
In his daily press briefing on Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his government is ready to impose tougher restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus should people fail to follow the guidance on social distancing.