Cabinet ministers are continuing to make blunders over the new coronavirus lockdown rules despite urging the public to adhere to the restrictions.
Michael Gove and Robert Jenrick are among those who have stumbled over the details as Downing Street faces criticism for making the rules too complex.
Mr Gove was forced to admit a U-turn earlier today after he previously said rules on golf and singles tennis would be ‘fine-tuned’, possibly allowing players to continue during the upcoming national shutdown.
But the Tory minister has today performed a U-turn and apologised, saying he was ‘wrong’ and that both golf and tennis clubs will be closed from Thursday.
Mr Jenrick also appeared to get muddled during an interview by claiming people from one household could mix outdoors with one other person from another household during the new lockdown.
But this sparked confusion after Boris Johnson had previously said that that one household can go out together or one person can meet one other outdoors in a public setting – while social distancing.
It comes as the UK prepares for a second national lockdown on Thursday which is due to last until December 2.
Michael Gove (left) and Robert Jenrick (right) are among those who have stumbled over the details as Downing Street faces criticism for making the rules too complex
Mr Gove, the MP for Surrey Heath, made his comments during a live chat with the Surrey Residents Network, before backtracking on social media earlier today
Mr Gove, the MP for Surrey Heath, made his comments during a live chat with the Surrey Residents Network, which was broadcast on social media.
Asked if people would be allowed to play doubles tennis, the Cabinet Office minister, said: ‘You’ll probably be able to play singles tennis. We are looking at allowing people to play golf with one other’.
However Mr Gove quickly back-tracked on his comments and apologised in a post on Twitter today.
He said: ‘My apologies, I got this wrong. Outdoor leisure facilities including tennis courts and golf courses will be closed from Thursday.’
Mr Jenrick, the UK’s Housing Minister, was also left in a muddle during an appearance on BBC Breakfast earlier this morning when speaking about the mixing of households
Mr Jenrick, the UK’s Housing Minister, was also left in a muddle during an appearance on BBC Breakfast earlier this morning.
Speaking about the mixing of households, he sparked confusion by claiming: ‘There are some differences to the national measures we had in March and April which will benefit people.
‘For example you’re able to do unlimited outdoor exercise during this period.
‘So we’re not going back to the time where there was only one walk a day for a limited period, you can go out with your own household, or your own household plus one person and walk the dog, go for a run, go for a walk around the town or city you live.
Presenter Louise Minchin asked: ‘I think I heard you say, outside you can be one household plus one other person – is that what you meant and is that right?’
Mr Jenrick replied: ‘Yes that’s right.’
This prompted Ms Michin to ask: ‘Okay, so a family could go for a walk, for example, with a friend?’
The MP replied ‘yes’, before Ms Minchin asked: ‘So four people and one person? That’s right?’
Mr Jenrick then appeared to backtrack, saying: ‘Yes, so you can go out in your own household or with one other person.’
Under the new restrictions, announced last week, people who do not live together will only be allowed to meet outside one on one unless they have formed a support bubble with children below school age are exempt from the rule.
Households will be banned from mixing indoors during the period.
People are being told not to leave home and travel abroad unless for unavoidable reasons, such as work that cannot be performed remotely, or to take exercise.
All non-essential shops have been forced to close as the hospitality industry warned it faces disaster and millions of job losses.
However, unlike the March lockdown schools and universities will remain open – despite unions warning they are key to the spread.
When the rules lapse at the beginning of December the Tiers system will be reapplied, raising questions about what metric will be used to judge whether an area can have restrictions loosened.