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‘Parallel universe’: Alarming photos emerge from country in lockdown

Cities in coronavirus lockdown often mirror ghost towns with streets emptied of cars and office workers.

But as the UK struggles to deal with the new mutant strain of the virus, and cities are locked down, swarms of people are still being seen out and about at popular parks and beachfront promenades.

The country is approaching 3.5 million cases of coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic, and the latest mutant strain is more than 50 per cent transmissible than the original strain. People are being commanded to stay at home and only leave for essential reasons.

However scenes from the weekend mirrored a Covid-free life, with people out enjoying a sunny winter’s day.

A horde of people descended on London’s Hyde Park and the seafront at Brighton during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.

People online blasted the large crowds after photos emerged online, as people are only allowed to leave their homes if they have a reasonable excuse.

In England people are allowed to exercise once a day, but must not meet others socially.

People on the sea front in Brighton during England's third national lockdown.
A swam on people on the seafront in Brighton during lockdown. Source: Getty

The number of people in hospital with the virus in England is at its highest level yet – at 37,435 – with someone being admitted every 30 seconds. Over 90,000 people have died.

‘How can people be so stupid?’

People slammed the scenes in England over the weekend, sharing fears the behaviour will not curb the spread of the coronavirus.

“Guess I live in a parallel universe than the people wandering around Brighton today,” a man tweeted over the weekend.

“I see we are admitting a Covid-19 patient every 30 secs. My friend has been in hospital on oxygen 12 days.”

“Whilst personally following lockdown restrictions, seeing pictures ... of packed Hyde Park, Brighton Promenade, Tyneside etc over the weekend really saddens me. How can people be so stupid?” another said.

People walk in Hyde Park during  England's third national lockdown.
People were slammed over scenes in London's Hyde Park on the weekend. Source: Getty

“These idiots, most without masks, WILL cause lockdown to continue but the first ... to moan about it. I’m disgusted and ashamed for them,” a third added.

The Brighton and Hove City Council urged people to not let their guard down when it came to the spread of coronavirus.

“Around one in three people with Covid-19 don't have any symptoms, but can still pass it on. Act like you've got it. We all need to play our part to stop the spread. Stay home. Protect the National Health Service. Save lives,” it tweeted.

Lockdown restrictions to stay until March

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi told the BBC that a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions would not begin before early March, and could initially mean a return to the tiered system.

Mr Zahawi said once millions of the most vulnerable are vaccinated with a first dose by the middle of February, it takes just a few weeks for their immune response to kick in and offer protection.

People on the seafront in Brighton during England's third national lockdown.
England is in its third lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. Source: Getty

Most people who have had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will start receiving their second jabs in March.

Mr Zahawi told Times Radio on Monday that many of those who have already had their first coronavirus vaccine dose will receive their second within two months’ time.

The government is on track to vaccinate 15 million people across the UK by mid-February, including health and social care staff, the elderly and people in care homes.

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