Police officers and firemen have been slammed on social media for breaking social distancing rules outside an Essex hospital last week.
The large crowd of emergency workers and members of the public crammed together outside Southend Hospital last Thursday to applaud the NHS at 8pm.
Officers were in touching distance of each other, ignoring the government’s advice on preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Police officers line up shoulder-to-shoulder in clear breach of the government’s social distancing advice as they applaud the NHS at Southend Hospital last Thursday
The event was meant to send a positive message to NHS workers but has been slammed on social media for creating more work for medics and hospital staff
Police officers line up side-by-side as they applaud the NHS workers battling coronavirus inside the hospital.
They turn the blue lights on their cars to celebrate the emergency workers inside and woops can be heard in the crowd.
A nurse walks out the hospital to talk to some of the officers closest to the camera as she leaves the circle carrying a coffee cup.
The crowds made a circle as they applauded frontline staff, with many taking videos and pictures of the occasion
Critics have slammed the gathering of police officers, with many pointing out the hypocrisy of enforcing social distancing rules without actually abiding by them
Wesley Fitzgerald said on Twitter: ‘How can you seriously be praising this behaviour.
‘My family and I are locked up, self isolating, my daughter missing exams and school, my son is missing school, my wife is furloughed.
‘Why is my family doing this while these plums meet up for a happy clap in a massive group?’
Another Twitter user wrote: ‘Brilliant!! These people currently spend most of their days telling people to observe ‘social distancing’ and where necessary breaking up groups and gatherings and then arrange a mass gathering of their own? Really?’
The video was posted online by health worker Julie Levere who said it was great to come out and have such a warm welcome.
Staff at Southend Hospital in Essex (pictured) claim to be ‘petrified’ about the rationing of personal protective equipment (PPE)
She said she was not allowed to comment on the situation inside the hospital with the treatment of patients, but added it was a ‘surprise to see so many NHS support there after my shift’.
She posted the short video online with the message: ‘How lovely to come out of work to this Your Southend #NHS.’
Last week Southend Hospital reported a total of 106 deaths from coronavirus since the outbreak began.
Family GP Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, became the first British doctor to die of the coronavirus after sacrificing himself to care for others.
He died in intensive care at Southend Hospital on March 25 after self isolating at home.
GP Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, became the first British doctor to die of the coronavirus in Southend Hospital on March 25
Medics at the hospital warned they may need to limit services to a ‘bare minimum’ amid concerns over a shortage of protective equipment for staff earlier this month.
Staff claimed to be ‘petrified’ about the rationing of personal protective equipment (PPE) in a letter to management.
In a statement, Southend Hospital said: ‘We are fully complying with the Public Health England guidance on the use of personal protective equipment which has been developed by expert clinicians and is being followed by the whole of the NHS.
‘There are no issues whatsoever with the cost of equipment. It has been made clear that cost is not an issue in keeping our staff protected.
‘What is important is that the supplies of PPE equipment across the NHS are used responsibly so there is enough to go round.’
A guidance document issued to police forces in England last week said not sticking to social distancing advice is not against the law.
It reads: ‘Government guidance, like going outside once a day for a walk, run, cycle OR staying two metres away from people you don’t live with, is not legally enforceable, but it is best practice and can be used to help to encourage people to change their behaviour.’
The news comes after police officers in England were advised that people who sit on park benches for too long are likely to be breaking coronavirus lockdown rules.
A document sent to forces cites advice from the Crown Prosecution Service on what might constitute a reasonable excuse to leave home under sweeping laws which give officers the power to enforce restrictions on movement and issue fines.
It also indicated people should not be working from nearby parks rather than their home but suggested those who needed a “cooling-off” period after rows at home can move between households if they leave for several days.
The document said stopping to rest or have a picnic lunch while on a long walk would be considered a reasonable excuse.
Some 3,203 fines were handed out by police in England between March 27 and April 13 to those considered to be flouting the rules.
Essex Polices say the ‘officers involved have been reminded of the importance of social distancing’
Essex Police said: ‘We understand that trying to maintain social distancing can be tough.
‘Trying to avoid friends, family, colleagues and other members of the community is not something we are used to doing.
‘We even have to remind our own officers and staff to maintain social distancing when they can.
‘They too can get carried away with doing everything they can to protect the people of Essex, or in this case in wanting to show colleagues in the NHS just how much they appreciate everything they are doing to save lives.
‘Following this event in Southend, officers involved have been reminded of the importance of social distancing.
‘It is really important we follow the government guidance and stay at least two metres away from those who do not live within our households. This applies to everyone, including police officers.
‘By doing this we can reduce the risk of spreading infection, help protect the NHS, and save lives.’
