Petition · past parliament
Encourage people to exercise safely outdoors during the covid-19 crisis.
Rejected
11 signatures
What the petition asks
On 5/4/2020, Matt Hancock warned that, unless people follow the Covid guidelines on physical distancing, he would consider a total ban on exercising outdoors.
Covid is a shocking disease, causing thousands of early deaths beyond the usual level – but Hancock's move would make things worse.
Covid is a shocking disease, causing thousands of early deaths beyond the usual level – but Hancock's move would make things worse.
Physical activity is important for many other aspects of physical health, and for mental health.
It poses no real risk if done responsibly.
A ban would distract attention and police resources away from other, more effective, actions.
It would be 'collective punishment' of the majority who are doing their best to help with the Covid effort
It would particulary punish people without a garden to move about or relax in.
It poses no real risk if done responsibly.
A ban would distract attention and police resources away from other, more effective, actions.
It would be 'collective punishment' of the majority who are doing their best to help with the Covid effort
It would particulary punish people without a garden to move about or relax in.
Why it was rejected
The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.
Since you started your petition the Government has relaxed the coronavirus restrictions, including relating to outdoor exercise. The Government has published an FAQ on what you currently can and can't do here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do#gatherings-public-spaces-and-outdoor-activities
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
The Government has also created an online service to help you find out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/192/the-governments-response-to-coronavirus/
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
The Government has also created an online service to help you find out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/192/the-governments-response-to-coronavirus/
Timeline
| 6 Apr 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 9 Jun 2020 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
11
Status
Rejected
Rejected
9 Jun 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.