- Home Secretary Priti Patel appeared on ITV’s This Morning, telling runners to exercise alone, despite Government guidelines stating you can run with one person outside of your household
- She told viewers you should be 'exercising on your own and not socialising'
This week, it seems runners have been a hot topic of debate, with Piers Morgan saying runners should stop running on busy streets days after Christopher Whitty said the risk of transmitting Covid-19 when out running was ‘extremely-low’. An today, Home Secretary Priti Patel appeared on ITV’s This Morning, telling viewers to exercise alone.
The current Government guidelines in England state that runners can run with one person from outside their household or support bubble. When asked about the rules, Patel told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, 'The clarity is around exercising on your own and not socialising.
‘The point to make about any exercise – yes, it should be local, people exercise differently. But exercise on your own and don't use it for a social meeting.
‘Cycling is fine because you are on your own; you should not be cycling with other people. Running, exactly in the same way because you are on your own, walking on your own.'
According to news reports, sources have said that Patel is aware of the Government rules around exercise, but was still suggesting people should be more cautious and exercise on their own when they can.
Rumours over tighter restrictions have been rife as case numbers remain alarmingly high. Some within the government suggest this is due to a disregard for these exercise rules, while others highlight a reduced furlough scheme and the need for many to continue working outside of their home.
Patel did confirm there would be no tighter restrictions to the lockdown rules announced on Thursday or Friday, but would not rule out further measures being announced next week.
The current government advice urges runners to stay local when exercising, but there has been widespread confusion among both public and police over what the definition of local' is.
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