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Coronavirus latest news: Experts warn barbecues could raise Covid risk as No 10 admits police can't carry out garden spot checks

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Experts fear safety could be put at risk as Britons reunite for barbecues amid the easing of lockdown measures.

Professor Sally Bloomfield, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that gathering for a meal “is a really dangerous thing”, warning people against having barbecues as the weather warms up.

Professor Bloomfield told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: "The thing that really worries me is people are starting to say to me, oh, can I have a barbecue?

"That is the really dangerous thing because then we are really starting handling things backwards and forwards to each other - plates, glasses, cups and so forth.”

From Monday, groups of up to six people in England will be able to enjoy socially distanced meetings in parks and gardens, including hosting barbecues, the Prime Minister announced on Thursday.

However, Downing Street revealed earlier today that police would not have the power to carry out 'spot checks' on those enjoying the sunshine in their gardens.

Asked if police could enter properties, or fly drones over people’s gardens, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “Under the coronavirus regulations, police do not have the power to enter a home. They have the power to enter a home separately if they believe serious criminality is taking place."

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