People urged to avoid ‘crowded places' as people gather to enjoy warm weather after lockdown eased

The warning comes as the North East experiences a mini heatwave ahead of the Easter weekend, with temperatures predicted to reach 18°C today (Wednesday, March 31).

The Communities Secretary has urged members of the public to avoid “the most crowded places” and to “exercise caution” when heading out to enjoy the recent warm weather.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Robert Jenrick said: “We just need to exercise caution and be sensible and pragmatic about how we do that.

“I think the vast majority of people are and will do that, they will enjoy the sunshine this week and at the Easter Weekend, but they’ll do so in a sensible and cautious way.

“The two things aren’t mutually exclusive – you can go and out, have fun, enjoy the great outdoors and the sunshine, while also trying to be careful, sticking to the rules and trying to avoid the most crowded places.”

Mr Jenrick also commented that Monday’s (March 29) relaxing of lockdown rules was the right thing and that the data surrounding the spread of Covid-19 isn’t showing anything to halt the progress of the Government’s roadmap.

The Government minister added: “What we hope and expect to happen is that we can continue moving forward through the road map and this will be a irreversible opening up of society and the economy.

“There’s nothing that’s happened so far that leads us to think that isn’t correct.”

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