Health chiefs today urged locked-down Britons to continue staying at home to help fight the coronavirus pandemic this weekend as a mini-heatwave is due to sweep the country.
Large parts of the UK will enjoy ‘a good deal of sunshine’ on Saturday, with the weather ‘feeling warmer than recently’, according to the Met Office. Sunday also looks dry from many, with warm sunshine in the East.
Temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 68F (20C) on Sunday, but the rising mercury has left medical bosses concerned that families tired of quarantine could be tempted to break the rules and make day trips out.
As a result, police forces are bracing themselves to deter visitors to popular beauty spots – with the mild, sunny weather also expected to last into the start of next week for southern and eastern areas.
Officers across the country are now priming themselves for potential clashes with sun-seekers, picnickers and travellers as the Easter holiday period gets under way.
Two people enjoy the spring weather in St James Park, London, yesterday, as health chiefs grow concerned large numbers will break lockdown to enjoy the rising temperatures this weekend
According to The Guardian, England’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van Tam, said: ‘Whatever the weather, we all have a shared responsibility to protect those around us, and the single most important action we can all take in fighting coronavirus is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.’
The Prime Minister yesterday warned that data was showing more people were using transport than in previous days, with No.10 growing increasingly worried about more cars appearing on the road this weekend.
When the lockdown was first enforced, large groups of people could still be seen in public places across the country, with officers often spotted speaking to those flouting the rules.
While visitor numbers at the popular Lake District have fallen in recent days, officers have still had to tell day-trippers to leave, according to Andy Slattery, assistant chief constable of Cumbria Police.
He admitted he was concerned families would be suffering from ‘boredom and frustration’ after nearly two weeks of being told to stay home, and that people would be tempted to get in their cars to travel for a change of scenery.
Messages will be pumped out on social media across London from today, urging people to resist the desire to go out, though police chiefs fear the Easter weekend could prove to be an even bigger concern, with forces drawing up plans to boost patrols, according to the newspaper.
While there is fear in some quarters that the public will struggle to continue to follow the lockdown rules, a government adviser and behavioural change expert said research suggests violations of the guidance should not be expected.
Some 20 properties were still available to book on the site in the coastal town of St Ives, in Cornwall, alone. Two ‘hosts’ of properties overlooking the town’s picturesque bay have confirmed that their properties were available to rent this weekend
Professor Ivo Vlaev said: ‘What we know is that with compelling narrative and reasons, people are capable of maintaining remarkable solidarity over long periods of times of national crisis, especially when the narrative is a collective narrative.
‘And, in fact, we know from evidence that panic is much less likely behaviour. In fact more likely behaviours are related to cooperation and altruism and solidarity.’
However, the picture looks somewhat different in Scotland, with the Met Office warning of rain, with some hill snow, moving northeastwards across the country tonight, with frost and fog patches forming.
Snow had already started to fall in the Highlands this morning, as weather chiefs warn rain affecting the west of the UK will cross all parts as the weekend draws to a close, followed by scattered showers on Monday.
Warm sunshine is forecast for this weekend with higher temperatures expected in Britain than parts of southern France or Spain.
Amid southerly winds, temperatures could reach maximum figures of 68F (20C) in South East England on Sunday.
It compares with 63F (17C) in Nice, on the Cote D’Azur, and 59F (15C) in Barcelona the same day.
The mild, sunny weather could last into the start of next week for southern and eastern areas.
It follows a chilly spell with wintry showers last Sunday – including snow as far south as Kent.
Officials at Cornwall Council have demanded all holiday firms shut down with the holidays approaching as it called on them to support the Government’s virus response
Conditions are set to improve for the weekend after a mainly cloudy day today with outbreaks of drizzle.
Temperatures today are only set to reach maximum figures of 46F (8C) and 48F (9C) in northern areas and 52F (11C) to 54F (12C) in the south.
After a widespread overnight frost, there is still set to be plenty of cloud around tomorrow.
But an increasing amount of sunny breaks are expected as the day goes along.
Temperatures are also due to build, reaching maximum figures of 57F (14C) to 15C (59F) tomorrow.
Sunday is expected to be breezy with widespread sunny spells and very mild temperatures. Even as far north as in Newcastle upon Tyne, a maximum figure of 63F (17C) is forecast.
In western areas, cloud is set to build later with the chance of patchy rain in the north-west by late afternoon or evening.
Met Office forecaster Bonnie Diamond, said: ‘Things have been quite cold but we are due to see a change with the arrival of southerly winds.
‘Temperatures are due to be in the mid-teens (Celsius) for many areas on Saturday and 19-20C (66-68F) on Sunday. There will be a good deal of hazy sunshine.’
Miss Diamond said southern and eastern areas could hold on to the mild and sunny weather into next week.
She said: ‘Winds are due to become westerly meaning it will be cooler but temperatures on Monday and Tuesday could still reach 13-16C (55-61F).
‘An area of high pressure over central Europe is still due to bring plenty of sunshine around on both days in southern and eastern parts of the country.’
The average daytime maximum temperature for April in England is 13.2C (55.7F).
But the mostly dry weather which has been in charge since the coronavirus lockdown began is forecast to break down in western areas during next week, due to an area of low pressure to the north of the UK.
‘Atlantic weather systems’ are forecast, bringing ‘frequent bands of wet and windy conditions across the UK from the south or southwest’, the Met Office predicts.
Drier and brighter weather is likely to continue in the south and east.
In between the rain, brighter and showery interludes are forecast and eastern areas are likely to see the best of any fine weather.
Unsettled weather with spells of wet and windy conditions is likely to continue through the middle of the month with a ‘more prolonged spell of fine and dry weather’ unlikely to return until the end of April.
Meanwhile councils in parts of the country have received complaints that some holiday accommodation providers still have tourists in their premises despite the ban.
And there are fears that better weather on the way – with temperatures set to rise to 70F (21C) next week – could encourage people to secretly go for a getaway.
Tourism figures said they were worried online home rental sites such as Airbnb are encouraging people to travel across the country for so-called ‘stay-cations’.
Some 20 properties were still available to book on the site in the coastal town of St Ives, in Cornwall, alone. Two ‘hosts’ of properties overlooking the town’s picturesque bay have confirmed that their properties were available to rent this weekend.
Good Friday is fast approaching in a week’s time on April 10, but all Britons have been told to cancel any holiday plans and stay at home to help fight the pandemic.
However police across the UK are priming themselves for potential clashes with sun-seekers, picnickers and travellers as the Easter holiday period gets under way.
Cornwall Council has demanded all holiday firms shut down with the holidays approaching as it called on them to support the Government’s virus response.
Officials also extended this call to those who might want to travel to a second home or let out their rooms or properties on online booking platforms such as Airbnb.
And council leaders in Lincolnshire have urged people not to visit as they closed many of the county’s main tourism car parks in an effort to put people off.
Some holiday accommodation buildings in Britain have been allowed to remain open, such as those proving a base for key workers or healthcare use.
One example is Carnmarth Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, which is providing housing to those discharged from hospital who are not ready to go home.
Meanwhile motoring group bosses told drivers to avoid using the ‘prospect of better weather’ as a reason to ignore advice to only go out for essential journeys.
It comes after experts raised concerns that the quarantine is becoming increasingly fragile, with figures showing car and public transport use up for the first time at the beginning of this week.
Ken Marsh, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said police were ready to use new powers handed to them to enforce lockdown measures.
He said: ‘I don’t doubt more people will be out. There are pockets of people not taking the rules on board and if there are gatherings in parks or any area where we feel there are groups of more than two or three people, they will be spoken to and dealt with very rapidly.
‘First it will be a conversation, and if they don’t adhere to that there will be fines and, yes, there could be arrests.’
Derbyshire Police, which came under criticism after using drones to stalk hill walkers, yesterday urged people to stay away from the Peak District and National Forest. It also raised the prospect of increasing patrols if people flout the rules.
A spokesman said: ‘Our officers are already out and about across the county speaking to people and explaining how they can best follow the guidance and, where appropriate, moving people on if they are behaving in contravention of that guidance.
Police patrol the streets near Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow on Wednesday
‘As a force we do not want to criminalise otherwise law-abiding members of our communities; however, where all other means have been exhausted then fines can and will be issued.’
On Wednesday, police in Cambridgeshire were pictured stopping people in cars and at Peterborough train station to ask them why they were travelling.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stressed that unless people are key workers or helping someone vulnerable, the only valid reasons to go outside are to shop for essentials, exercise once a day or fulfil any medical needs.
Police up and down the UK have been given new powers to enforce the lockdown, including using ‘reasonable force’ against children if they don’t respect the rules, which include two metres apart from people.
On-the-spot £30 fines can also be issued, rising to £60 if they are not paid within 28 days and capped at £960 for repeat offenders.
Tourism figures said they were concerned the likes of Airbnb are encouraging people to travel across the country.
Hotels, hostels and short-term accommodation venues have all been ordered to close by the government.
Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said: ‘We are worried it will tempt people to come and we’re worried about the impact between local people and the industry, as the government advice is clear and locals want people not to come.
‘It seems to me that it wouldn’t be very difficult for a large website like Airbnb to just say ‘we are not allowing any bookings for the foreseeable future’.’
Twitter user Remmey Best wrote last night: ‘There are holidaymakers starting to appear where I am in the West Country. There will be many more next weekend.
‘The lockdown is only advice. If they’re here then local businesses will open up again. Can’t blame them – we’re being hung out to dry.
‘So once people realise that Devon and Cornwall are open they’ll start heading down. People simply won’t stand by and let their livelihoods crumble.
Police community support officers speak to a skateboarder in Brighton on Wednesday
By contrast, websites such as Classic Cottages display a warning saying users can no longer make bookings before the summer due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Airbnb said it was reminding all property ‘hosts’ to review the latest government guidance before accepting any new bookings.
Data released by the Department of Transport on Tuesday night showed car and van usage rose 10 per cent at the beginning of this week.
Professor Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England, described the ‘uptick in motor vehicle traffic’ as a ‘slightly concerning trend’.
Meanwhile local media in Cornwall have launched a #comebacklater campaign urging visitors to temporarily postponed their plans to visit until they can safely do so.
And the council’s enforcement team is now writing to all owners of holiday accommodation to ask for their cooperation in complying with the rules.
Rob Nolan, its cabinet member for environment and public protection, said: ‘We are calling on and trust that our holiday accommodation providers in Cornwall will do the right thing and ensure compliance with this requirement.’
And Inspector Miles Topham, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: ‘We will work closely with and support our partners in protecting the public.
‘If people undertake non-essential travel, which could includes travelling to second homes, then we reserve the right to take enforcement action which will be considered on a case by case basis.’
RAC breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis told MailOnline: ‘In normal circumstances, the Easter weekend would be one of the busiest getaways of the year, but with the virus outbreak 2020 is anything but normal.
‘It’s important drivers continue to follow the Government’s advice to only go out for essential journeys – the prospect of better weather must not be used as a reason to ignore this advice.
‘Where drivers need to make these trips, the RAC is still there for them if their cars fail.’
And AA president Edmund King said: ‘Transport ministers have made it very clear to us that cars should only be used for essential journeys and this applies as much to Easter as it has in the last couple of weeks.
‘Hence Easter drives should be done on the PlayStation this year rather than the public highway.
‘We all need to beat this pandemic together and that means restricting our movements to keep the pressure off the NHS and essential emergency services as much as possible.’
A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: ‘The government’s advice is clear that there should be no leisure travel at all until further notice.
‘This will help us to save lives and protect the NHS. Companies should not encourage people to book holidays or staycations within the UK whilst the advice is to stay home.’