Matt Hancock has warned the public that a tougher lockdown could be enforced – with outdoor exercise banned – if strict coronavirus guidelines on social distancing continue to be flouted.

The health secretary said that people sunbathing in parks during the warmest weather of the year so far were breaking restrictions outlined by Boris Johnson almost a fortnight ago to curb the spread of the disease.

On Sunday, the UK death toll rose by 621, after seven healthcare professionals died, bringing the total to 4,934.

As it stands, the government’s lockdown guidelines allow for one exercise session a day; a run, cycle or walk. Ministers believe exercise is crucial for physical and mental health during the pandemic.

Coronavirus: London on lockdown Show all 29 1 /29 Coronavirus: London on lockdown Coronavirus: London on lockdown A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street Photos Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown An empty street in the heart of Chinatown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Communities have been coming together in a time of need Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown ‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Camden High Street There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Empty streets around Soho Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub Angela Christofilou

“But if the result of that is that too many people go out and flout the other rules because they say, ‘Well if I can exercise then it’s fine for me to do other things’ then I’m afraid we will have to take action,” Mr Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme.

He added: “I don’t want to have to take that action, of course I don’t, but we have already demonstrated that we are prepared to take the action that’s necessary to get this virus under control.

“So my message is really clear. If you don’t want us to have to take the step to ban exercise of all forms outside of your own home then you’ve got to follow the rules and the vast majority people are following the rules. Let’s not have a minority spoiling it for everybody.”

Later on Sunday, however, Mr Hancock appeared to row back on his warning, suggesting there were no “imminent” changes to government restrictions on social distancing, including exercise. ”What we are doing is being absolutely clear that the current rules must be followed,” he told a Downing Street press conference hours later.

Speaking alongside him, Dr Jenny Harries, the deputy chief medical officer for England, said: “It is not just what you are doing but how you are doing it. If you are sitting on a park bench, people tend to accumulate – it is very difficult to prevent that.

“Having rules where we are getting all of the benefits and minimising the risks and harms is an important approach to maintain.

“We have set those rules, we are enforcing against those rules and we will reiterate those rules, because that is the best way to be able to bend the curve down and stop the spread of the virus.”

Labour’s new leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said his party would support government ministers if they believed a tougher lockdown was necessary to stem the spread of coronavirus. He told the BBC he would engage constructively with Conservatives and vowed not to seek to score party political points – nor demand the impossible – during the crisis.

Asked if he would support further restrictions on exercise if people flout the rules, Sir Keir said: “Yes we would – we do have to take whatever steps are necessary, and social distancing, staying indoors is really difficult for people, it’s particularly difficult if you don’t have a garden, if you’re in a flat; and I know there are many people in overcrowded accommodation.

“But we’ve got to get through this, and every time people break the guidance from the government, they put other people at risk.”

Angela Rayner, the new deputy leader of the Labour Party, who has had symptoms of coronavirus, said the health secretary should have stayed at home for longer than seven days after he tested positive for Covid-19.

The government’s guidelines state that if you have symptoms of coronavirus, you need to self-isolate at home for seven days or longer if you still have a temperature, and anyone you live with should stay in for 14 days even if they do not have any symptoms.

Speaking to Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Ms Rayner said: “I’m very disappointed that Matt Hancock, after seven days of having the virus, went out when the World Health Organisation has said you should self-isolate for 14 days.