Michael Gove tells joggers to limit exercise stints to 30 minutes amid coronavirus lockdown
Michael Gove said joggers should limit their runs to 30 minutes each day (PA)
2 min read
Michael Gove has urged joggers to limit their runs to around 30 minutes in an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
The Cabinet Office minister sought to clarify the government's advice after police forces complained there had been "some confusion" about where people were allowed to go for exercise.
Officers in the Peak and Lake Districts have already warned drivers against travelling long distances after they saw a surge in visitors in the wake of the Government's announcement that people can leave their homes each day to get exercise.
On Friday, the Environment Department was forced to issue further details, saying the public should only use "open spaces" near their homes when exercising and warned against travelling "unnecessarily".
Pressed for clarity on the rules, Mr Gove told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme: "Well, obviously it depends on each individual's fitness.
"I would have thought that for most people, a walk of up to an hour, or a run of 30 minutes or a cycle ride of between that, depending on their level of fitness is appropriate."
Mr Gove said most people were already displaying "common sense" when it came to following social distancing guidelines.
But he warned that tighter curbs could be brought into force if people fail to follow the Government's orders.
He added: "Yesterday I went out for a jog early on. People were maintaining their distance. I was only out for 25 minutes but people were exercising that degree of discipline.
"Then, later in the day I went on a short walk to the local grocery store to get some essentials.
"Again, in that grocery store people were maintaining strict social distancing and that short walk was just to get the ingredients for weekend cooking.
"So people have been displaying that degree of discipline, and that's admirable."
Under the Government's plans, people have been told to maintain a minimum of two metres' distance from each other, with police forces given new powers to disperse gatherings and issue fines to those flouting the rules.
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