'Mixed messages': UK government's strategy fuels fears of rule-breaking

Critics of No 10 warn U-turns undermining efforts to keep public safe from coronavirus

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First people were meant to stay at home to save lives, and then government sources raised the prospect of picnics with pals and sunbathing in the park just before a sunny bank holiday weekend.

Boris Johnson told the nation that scientists thought face masks might help stop the spread of the disease, but no change was made to the government advice that they were not needed outside medical and care settings.