Parks must remain open "for the health of the nation", local councils have been told, following reports in recent weeks that many had closed their gates.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said coronavirus lockdown measures were harder for those without gardens or open spaces and that "people need parks".

Speaking at the Downing Street briefing, he said he had "made it clear" to councils that all parks must remain open but warned people must abide by social-distancing rules, and not congregate in the green spaces.

He added: "Don't lose what's been hard won over the last few weeks.

"Keep adhering to the measures, keep respecting the advice from the clinicians, and if we do that together as a society, then in the weeks to come there may be opportunities to begin very cautiously to ease the lockdown measures.


"But that day is not today, as the first secretary said just a few days ago."

Mr Jenrick has also asked councils to keep cemeteries open to allow families to grieve for their loved ones.

"There have been times in my life when I have needed to do that," he said.

"These are small steps, but small mercies can make a difference."

He pointed to the death of 13-year-old Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, from Brixton, who died after contracting COVID-19.

He said the tragedy was compounded as the family could not attend his funeral.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick announces £1.6bn to support councils across England during the coronavirus pandemic.

He also announced an extra £1.6bn in funding to help councils in England to deal with the coronavirus emergency after complaints from local authorities that services could suffer.

Mr Jenrick said the extra money will boost the backing councils have received to cope with the pandemic to £3.2bn.

An extra £300m will go to devolved administrations, with Scotland getting £155m, Wales £95m, and Northern Ireland £50m.