Kit Malthouse claims you can cycle up to 70 miles from home

Boris Johnson does not regret his bike tour of the Olympic Park and would do it again as the UK's senior police officer said it was not illegal but urged the Prime Minister to legislate how far the public can travel to play sports with it Train the armed forces more easily can penalize lockdown flouters.

Mr Johnson's press secretary Allegra Stratton was asked if Mr Johnson regretted his Sunday bike ride seven miles from Downing Street over the weekend and said: "However, there is nothing special about the Prime Minister going on a bike ride, and it shouldn't be . "

She added, "He's going to be biking again – you all know how much he loves his bike."

Police Minister Kit Malthouse even said Brits can go on a 70-mile bike ride if they want – but urged the public to think carefully about meeting a friend out for a coffee and never go to the supermarket without a mask .

Amid widespread confusion about whether people are allowed to sit on park benches during their daily exercise, No10 sources also told MailOnline that a "short break" during exercise was "appropriate". However, they stressed that it was illegal to go out "just to sit in public".

Mr Malthouse defended Mr Johnson's bike ride but accused the public of "searching for the loopholes" by disregarding the third national lockdown – compared to pubs serving scotch eggs to stay open last year – and insisted that it be the job of the police to check where people are going and who they are meeting in the open air.

He said, “I understand this is sort of a scotch egg moment where people are looking for the loopholes and the problems in the law. Unfortunately, we cannot legislate for every single dynamic in human existence. If you can get there on your own and not interact with someone … then that makes perfect sense to me.

It came when City Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said today that the police will "move quickly" to fine individuals who openly ignore coronavirus lockdown rules and that officials in London will do more than 24 hours 300 fixed criminal charges for "flagrant" had issued. Violations of the regulations.

And in a veiled review of the Prime Minister's bike tour to the Olympic Park, Dame Cressida Dick said, "To me, a reasonable interpretation of that is that you can do your exercise from your front door and return to your front door," adding, "The public sees us all as role models ". But she said the prime minister's trip was not illegal.

Number 10 has yet to confirm whether Mr Johnson rode his bike to the Olympic Park himself or was brought to east London by car when some Tory MPs complained that too much power was being given to the police.

Dame Cressida has also asked the government to put the definition of "local" in law to ease the burden on the police, as officials in Devon and Cornwall have been found to be using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to ensure that only essential journeys are possible during the lockdown – and hunt people who travel in second homes.

Hampshire Police also use drones to monitor people visiting the Southsea waterfront to ensure they are socially distant and not grouped together.

As Mr Johnson also warned of tougher Covid-19 curbs if existing restrictions were ignored:

• Labor Leads urge Prime Minister to cut red tape and allow around the clock shocks after police, teachers and shift workers were vaccinated after No. 10 insisted there is no "noise" for appointments after 8pm.
• Sainsbury's joins Morrisons as they reinstate bouncers outside of supermarkets to challenge people who don't wear masks or ignore social distancing – but security doesn't see it through;
• The mess for thousands of UK travelers as the government has yet to disclose what Covid tests tourists will need to take before flying to the UK.
• Another 529 virus deaths were recorded yesterday, up from 407 the week before, with 46,169 new cases;

Mr Malthouse also said that all supermarkets are "taking their responsibility back" by not refusing entry to anyone without a face mask and again reducing the number of people affected as the fraudsters face fines from the police. Brian Booth, chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, said this morning, "We just don't have the resources to go to every supermarket."

But Dame Cressida said her officials would also be ready to help supermarket staff if customers became "obstructive and aggressive" when they were told to wear face covering.

Her warning came when Morrisons said customers who refused to wear a mask with no medical exception will be asked to leave their stores, while Sainsbury's said security staff would "challenge" shoppers who didn't Wearing masks or entering shops in groups.

Dame Cressida said, “We will move faster to enforcement, especially when someone is breaking the law, breaking the rules, and when it is absolutely clear that they must have known or know they are, we are going to move very quickly to enforce and fine people. & # 39;

Kit Malthouse's argument that long bike rides are allowed was undermined by Kerrin Wilson, deputy chief of police for the Lincolnshire Police Department, who said of a local driver who drives 50 to 60 miles, "What you need to understand is if he is falls off his bike and is How far will he get help if he gets a flat tire? Other people may be at risk. "

Despite the confusion about what is and cannot be allowed during the current lockdown, such as stopping on a bench or having a takeaway coffee while walking with a friend, the UK's senior police officer said it was "absurd" that people might be unaware of the need to follow the third national lockdown and warned that rule violations will be fined.

Police chief Dame Cressida Dick said people are still holding house parties, meeting in basements to play, and taking part in unlicensed raves despite rising numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths.

She warned that breaking or breaking the rules would lead officials to "move to enforcement action much faster" and urged the government to change the definition of "local" in law as in Scotland and Anchor Wales.

Boris Johnson is under pressure to increase social distance to ten feet to stop the spread of the coronavirus – and tighten the existing lockdown, including potentially preventing people from leaving the home every day.

Mr Malthouse said, “Whether or not there will be any major restrictions will depend a lot on the numbers. We track the infection rate.

“In all honesty, we're all excited to see how the impact of the restrictions put in place on Boxing Day will affect the numbers, especially in London and the South East.

“This virus is moving so fast that the government is having to make very, very agile decisions about the way we live our lives.

“But like I said, if we want to make sure this is the final lockdown – please God it is – we all have to follow the rules and take them really, really seriously.

"Unfortunately, in some parts of the country, we haven't seen this from a minority of people who frankly abandon the rest of us."

Police officers hope the public will see what "local" means for movement, said Police Minister Kit Malthouse.

When asked if "local" should be defined in England, he told Times Radio: "We hope most people will realize that local, while open to personal interpretation, has some implications, that is, you can get under it . " your own steam?

& # 39; We're trying to strike a balance between following the rules and the elements of public approval of what's happening.

“I think most people would find that reasonable.

"Wherever there are unreasonable people who break this rule, the police intervene."

Mr Malthouse has said that all supermarkets should follow in Morrison's footsteps to force masks to be worn in stores and prevent the virus from spreading.

When asked why he believed supermarkets had not previously done this, he told Times Radio, "I think that after the lockdown in November there was understandably an element of release and hence the person at the door, the plumbing, the traffic light system obviously decreased the queues outside.

"What we hope now, and I know that you will all do it, that you will see your responsibility and begin to get these things back in place."

When asked if police should intervene, he said some retail officials have fined, adding, "We hope the vast majority of people or everyone will be encouraged by the shopkeeper."

Police chief Dame Cressida Dick said people are still holding house parties, meeting in basements to play, and taking part in unlicensed raves despite rising numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths.

She warned that anyone caught breaking or failing to comply with the rules would result in officials "moving into enforcement action much faster".

It comes amid mounting calls for stricter shutdown restrictions, with No10 even considering imposing Chinese-style curfews, outdoor masked mandates, and ten feet of social distance.

Dame Cressida wrote in the Times today: “It is absurd to me that no one could be aware of our duty to do everything possible to stop the virus from spreading. We were aware that those who breach Covid-19 legislation are increasingly being fined.

"We will continue to engage, explain and encourage, but those who break the rules or refuse to abide by them for no good reason will find officials move to enforcement action much faster."

The Met Police Chief also urged the government to ensure that police officers are given priority over the Covid bite when the vaccine is rolled out.

When asked about the Covid restrictions and Boris Johnson's bike ride seven miles from his home, City Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick told BBC Radio 4's Today program: “I will not comment on individual cases. I really am not. & # 39;

Pressing that the Prime Minister was a role model, the police chief said, “The public sees us all as role models for all of us in public life, if you wish.

What I can say is that it's not against the law. I think that's implicit. & # 39;

Leading members of Sage's Scientific Advisory Board want social distancing measures to be increased from “one meter plus” to “two meters plus”.

In practice, this would change the limit to ten feet – nearly ten feet. The drastic suggestion came when an angry Matt Hancock denounced people who violated social distancing rules.

At a press conference on Downing Street, the Health Secretary said he would "not rule out further action if necessary."

Aided by Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, who sits on top of Sage, he said it was time to double the curbs from Covid – including outdoor contact.

When asked if a ten-foot rule would be introduced in England, a Downing Street spokesman said last night: "There are currently no plans to change the social distancing rules. However, everything is checked. & # 39;

It came when the country recorded another 529 Covid deaths on Monday – a 30 percent increase from the 407 reported the same day last week.

It was the deadliest Monday since April 20, when 570 people lost their lives, and it was the worst week of death in the UK since the pandemic began. An average of 931 people lost their lives in each of the last seven days, compared to the highest 7-day average of 920 in the first wave in April.

In a positive sign that the UK's rising case load could moderate, 46,169 people tested positive for the virus – a 20 percent decrease in one week.

The Daily Mail was told that several members of Sage say the lockdown must be tougher than the first one in March last year.

The idea of ​​a Chinese-style ban on residents leaving their homes was raised at a meeting.

Ministers are angry that some people are using their right to exercise every day as an excuse to meet friends in the park for coffee.

A source said, “If it means limiting people to a single hour-long walk once a week, that's what we have to do. We can't let a few selfish idiots put the whole country in danger. & # 39;

It is feared that failure to comply with restrictions will increase the number of deaths and risk overwhelming hospitals.

Increasing the social distancing rule to ten feet is seen as a way to stop the spread of the new variant of the virus, which is easier to pass on.

Opponents of the move say it will have little impact, create more confusion, and be a logistical nightmare.

Two-meter signs have been painted on sidewalks across the country, with similar notices in tens of thousands of shops, factories, offices and public spaces.

A change would increase the cost of fighting the pandemic.

Supporters claim the benefit of saving lives and protecting the NHS means the move is worth it. They argue that it is an answer to the new variant that is said to be up to 70 percent more transferable.

If it continues, it would be the government's third social distancing policy.

The distance was set at two meters in March after experts said the coronavirus was up to ten times more transmittable at one meter than at two.

After the first lockdown, it was reduced to “one meter plus” in July – mainly to make it easier for restaurants and cafes to reopen.

A two-meter-plus rule in practice would mean staying three meters apart – nearly 10 feet – unless measures were taken to limit the risk of transmission, such as a traffic jam. B. Screens.

Social distancing gaps vary across the world.

In China, Hong Kong and Singapore, which successfully battled the pandemic, the distance was one meter.

However, they imposed other, far stricter rules, including curfews. Spain and Canada followed the two-meter rule.

The other three home countries have different versions of the two-meter rule.

In Scotland, people are advised to stay two meters apart and in Wales they are advised to stay two meters apart, unless this is impractical, with the exception of young children.

The gap in Northern Ireland has narrowed to one meter but is now two again.

Professor Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia said, “The further you are from someone, the less risk you risk.

“Three meters reduces the risk a little compared to two meters – but it's hard to say how much and if that would make a big difference. I suspect the main problem is with people who don't stick to the two-meter rule. & # 39;

Cautioned against trying to push the limits while exercising, Mr. Hancock added, “If too many people break this rule, we'll look at it. Don't say you're exercising if you're really just socializing. & # 39;

He said the two-meter rule should be followed, not as a "limit to be challenged".

Shortly after Mr Hancock's press conference on Downing Street on Monday, the Prime Minister posted a short video that was filmed during his visit to the Ashton Gate vaccination center in Bristol.

In it, he urged the British to "follow instructions to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives" as Covid continues to spread rapidly in several parts of the country.

The British shouldn't lose focus on the pandemic as the coronavirus "is still causing big problems for our NHS," Johnson added.

Mr Hancock also used the briefing to defend the Prime Minister after he was seen cycling in the Olympic Park, seven miles from Downing Street, in an apparent violation of government advice.

The health minister said it is allowed to drive this distance from where you live to do sports, although he also insists that people must "stay".

But he also warned that the rules for two people from different households to exercise outdoors together could be lifted if people continued to abuse them.

"If too many people break this rule, we have to look at them, but I don't want to," Hancock said of a 10 briefing last night.

The Prime Minister was seen wearing a hat and face mask on his bike at the venue, seven miles from Downing Street, yesterday afternoon.

A source told the Evening Standard that Mr. Johnson was training along with his security detail.

Exceptionally, the Prime Minister is said to have "noticed how busy" the park was and later pointed this out at a meeting.

According to official government guidelines, movement should be limited to once a day and "you should not travel outside your area".

Two women were fined £ 200 each by Derbyshire Police for walking five miles from their home while officials in Whitby beat people for sledging.

One witness said: “He was leisurely driving with another man in a cap and chatting while about four security guards, possibly more, cycled behind them.

Realizing the person looked like Boris, I drove past them to hear his voice and be sure it was him. It was definitely Boris.

"Given the current situation with Covid, I was shocked to see him driving around so carelessly," added the woman, who asked not to be named.

Even though he advises everyone to stay home and not leave their area, shouldn't they stay in Westminster and not travel to other districts? & # 39;

The Prime Minister's spokesman yesterday was unable to provide any information on why Mr Johnson had gone to Stratford and why it was within the rules.

It is also not clear whether Mr Johnson was ridden to the park on his bike or rode all the way there and back.

Tim Farron, MP for Lib Dem, said, “The government's guidelines for travel to sport are as clear as mud.

“People travel hundreds of miles to the Lake District while others are scared to drive 5 minutes to the local park.

"I wrote to the prime minister asking him to give clear instructions once and for all."

In a video posted on the Prime Minister's official Twitter account last night, which includes footage of Mr Johnson's visit to Bristol on Monday, the Prime Minister praised the government's vaccination program.

But he warned the British that this shouldn't lead to complacency as the new variant of Covid is still spreading rapidly.

Mr. Johnson said, “Hi guys. I'm here at this amazing mass vaccination center in Bristol in a football stadium and it's one of the 50 we'll be rolling out by the end of the month to help all of the over 1,000 GP surgeries across the 233 hospital locations. plus the 200 pharmacies.

“And of course that's just the beginning when we deliver the vaccine.

“When I speak to you this morning, we've done about 2.4 million thrusts, 2 million people in the country who have already been vaccinated, and we're going to increase that massively over the next few weeks as soon as we get it, we hope by the middle February up to 15 million.

“And that is a very ambitious program. We are confident that we can do it.

"But if we bring people to their knees, it is incredibly important that we don't lose focus on the pandemic, which unfortunately is still happening in so many parts of the country and is still filling our hospitals with Covid patients, and still is has big causes, big problems for our NHS.

“So everyone has to follow the instructions. Stay home protect the NHS and save lives. & # 39;

Along with his video, the Prime Minister tweeted, “If we get bumped in the arms, we must not lose sight of the state of the pandemic – which is putting enormous pressure on our NHS.

"So please follow the rules and stay home to protect the NHS and save lives."