Yahoo Movies Coronavirus: Councils warn Sunday's warm weather isn't an excuse to break COVID-19 lockdown
Councils are urging residents to remain indoors during the coronavirus crisis - despite warmer weather forecast for this weekend.
Britain will experience rising temperatures this weekend in what could be “the warmest day of the year so far” on Sunday.
Forecasters at the Met Office are predicting temperatures in parts of the country will hit 20C as spring weather sets in.
However, local authorities have urged residents to continue to follow measures set out by the government’s COVID-19 lockdown.
The government’s lockdown was imposed after it became clear many people were not listening to government advice, with scenes showing parks filled with people eager to enjoy warmer conditions.
Now, the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils across England and Wales, says it is vital that people avoid taking any unnecessary risks and remain indoors despite the weather.
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LGA chairman James Jamieson said: ”With warm weather forecast for the weekend, I like many others will be looking forward to some fresh air.
“I understand families might be tempted to go out and enjoy the sunshine, whether that’s a trip to the coast or seaside, or a picnic in a beauty spot or country park.
“But the government’s guidance is clear; you shouldn’t go out unless it is necessary and for essential travel or once daily exercise.
Read more: Coronavirus: Six reasons it's OK to leave your house, according to Boris Johnson
“We know that the vast majority of people have followed the advice and stayed safe and stayed at home.By simply remaining at home, we can save lives and reduce the pressure on our incredible health and social care workers.”
Warm air spreads in from the southwest later this week, causing temperatures to rise perhaps as high as 20 Celsius (68 F) or so in a few spots by Sunday. However, it won't feel quite that warm in a strengthening southerly wind. pic.twitter.com/EenLLj5BpZ
— Met Office (@metoffice) April 2, 2020
Parts of London, as well as Manchester, Cambridge and Norfolk are expected to reach highs of 19C.
Read more: Coronavirus lockdown 'to last at least three months' says Scotland chief medical officer
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst told Yahoo News: “We will see temps rising as we go through the weekend into Sunday, so Saturday temps will rise, although there will be fairly cloudy skies at times with highs of 15C.
“On Sunday, across the east of the UK, there will be more sunshine, but there will be rain and colder temperatures in the west.
“Although there will be temps highs of 20C, it will cool down after Sunday into Monday.”
On Friday, the number of officially recorded coronavirus-related deaths climbed to 3,605 in the UK - up 684 from the 2,921 announced on Thursday.
It represents the third successive day that the country’s daily death toll rose by the highest amount since the outbreak started.
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