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Illegal mass gathering events planned for this weekend

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If you feel like you are experiencing any Coronavirus symptoms, please follow the advice from the National Health Service – found here and NHS Inform. Save Lives, Stay at Home.

Several illegal mass gatherings are set to take place across the country this weekend (Saturday May 16th) to protest against the Government’s Coronavirus Bill.

The UK Freedom Movement has urged people to “say no to the unlawful lockdown” with the events due to take place in more than 60 locations in the UK.

These include Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee in Scotland.

According to its Facebook page, the UK Freedom Movement is an ‘anti conspiracy group aimed at “exposing the truth regarding global affairs”.

The events are being shared by controversial groups and fringe communities, which promote anti-vaccination consipracy theories

One such poster, for a mass gathering event due to take place at Hyde Park reads: “We say no to the coronavirus bill, no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal and no to the unlawful lockdown.”

Events at over 60 locations in the UK are planned for this weekend, Source: Daily Mirror

The mass gathering plans have been met with controversy.

Thousands of people have come out in support for the events, with many commenting to: “Take our country back” and “Power to the people”.

But police forces have taken the organisation of these events very seriously.

Police are permitted to issue £100 fines to anyone found breaking the lockdown rules. They have warned that crowds will be dispersed and people could face ‘hefty’ fines.

Current Government rules say that public gatherings of more than two people, with limited exceptions, are prohibited.

Police Scotland are advising against anyone planning to attend the gatherings in Edinburgh’s Holyrood and Hillwood Parks.

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced plans to ease lockdown last weekend.

But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has stated that in Scotland, advice remains the same. To stay at home, protect our NHS, and to save lives.

The rule of going outside to exercise once a day has, however been lifted.

There is a concern that mass gatherings could lead to more deaths from the coronavirus, and result in a second wave.

Current coronavirus death toll statistics show 33,186 deaths in the UK, with 6,067 in Scotland.

If you feel like you are experiencing any Coronavirus symptoms, please follow the advice from the National Health Service – found here and NHS Inform. Save Lives, Stay at Home.

Featured Image: Niek Verlaan from Pixabay

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PhD - Environmental Science. Aspiring research scientist. Like to blog things science, and how it affects us.

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