MEDICAL staff have reacted with disbelief to an astonishing viral video which shows Londoners ignoring lockdown rules to gather on Westminster Bridge for a “clap for carers” event.
Posted online by a doctor who works at the nearby St Thomas' Hospital, the clip shows emergency services joining members of the public to crowd on the bridge to clap and shout in appreciation of healthcare workers.
Those in the video appear to be showing blatant disregard for social distancing rules which state people must keep two metres apart and must avoid "large and small gatherings in public spaces". Many can be seen standing shoulder to shoulder.
The scene from Westminster bridge #ClapForCarers pic.twitter.com/JpzM0YBjgH
— Damir Rafi (@d_rafi1) April 16, 2020
Footage from a different angle shows two huge columns of emergency service vehicles lined up on either side of the bridge.
Public gatherings of only 2, some of us haven’t seen our parents in weeks, our children not at schools, nearly 14,000 dead as @metpoliceuk allow this madness on Westminster Bridge pic.twitter.com/paLl5N80MS
— Aamer Anwar🎗✊🏽 (@AamerAnwar) April 17, 2020
Dr Damir Rafi, who filmed the scene, posted: "I'm a doctor working at the hospital that's right there. And yes, I was also somewhat perplexed by the lack of social distancing..."
A nurse who commented on the video wrote: “This is just really infuriating!!!! I’m a Nurse & this scene made me sick!!! It’s more appreciated if social distancing was practise here than the clapping itself! Do we really CARE??? Expect for more weeks of torture, more casualties because of this!!!”
The Metropolitan Police, whose officers were among the emergency services members who appeared to flout the rules, said staff would be “reminded” of lockdown rules.
Scots lawyer Aamer Anwar accused police of hypocrisy and condemned officers’ failure to enforce social distancing rules.
He tweeted: “We’ve seen officers wrongly applying #COVID19 laws, shouting in faces ‘you’re killing people’, use drones, no yoga or park benches, yet here @metpoliceuk don’t apply laws on #SocialDistancing at WM Bridge as people clap #NHSBlue heartwho say #StayHomeSaveLives”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: “Officers, along with other emergency service workers, came together last night on Westminster Bridge to celebrate the work of all key workers.
“A large number of members of the public also gathered to express their gratitude.
“While many people adhered to social distancing guidance, it appears that some did not. We regularly remind our officers of the importance of social distancing where practical, and will continue do so.”
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