Politics

Farage admits breaking coronavirus lockdown rules – claiming 'common sense'


Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has admitted breaking coronavirus lockdown rules saying that “common sense” will need come into place if people are facing an extended time indoors.

Answering calls during his phone-in on LBC, Mr Farage said he had left his own house eight times in the past five days.

This is despite  Boris Johnson last week telling people they should only be leaving the house for exercise once a day or to buy essentials.

The measures are part of a drive to limit the spread of coronavirus, which has now infected more than 17,000 people in the UK, killing 1,019.

According to Prime Minister limiting going outside is essential to the government’s containment startegy.

Mr Johnson said in a letter to the country this weekend “I urge you, please, to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives”.

Nigel Farage said the rules should be interpreted through common sense, the government doesn’t agree

But Mr Farage said: “I am going to be honest with you, in the last five days I have been out walking eight times.

“So there are three days this week where I went out walking early in the morning, and I went out again in the afternoon.”

He defended the decision to flout the rules saying he hadn’t seen “a single person”

“I wasn’t putting anybody else at risk including myself, and I think we just need to apply common sense here,” he added.

He added that if the lockdown continues until June, as has been hinted at in the past few days, “people are going to need to get out for their own mental health”.

Boris Johnson said rules were in place to save lives

It comes after the Prime Minister wrote to every household in the UK to urge the public to obey the lockdown and stay home during the coronavirus “national emergency”.

Mr Johnson, who is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, will warn “things will get worse before they get better” as he stresses the need to stay indoors to support the NHS by slowing the spread.

At an anticipated cost of £5.8 million, the letters will land on 30 million doorsteps along with a leaflet spelling out the Government’s advice following much public confusion.

They are the latest in a public information campaign from No 10 to convince people to stay at home, wash their hands and shield the most vulnerable from the disease.

“We know things will get worse before they get better,” the PM’s letter will read.

“But we are making the right preparations, and the more we all follow the rules, the fewer lives will be lost and the sooner life can return to normal.

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“It has been truly inspirational to see our doctors, nurses and other carers rise magnificently to the needs of the hour.

“Thousands of retired doctors and nurses are returning to the NHS – and hundreds of thousands of citizens are volunteering to help the most vulnerable.

“That is why, at this moment of national emergency, I urge you, please, to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

Amid allegations of confusing messages on the lockdown, the leaflet will outline the Government’s rules on leaving the house and advice on shielding vulnerable people.

A clear explanation of the symptoms will also be included as will guidance on hand washing.





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