Boris Johnson has admitted his government’s instructions have become “more complex” as the nation adjusts to the loosening of lockdown restrictions.
Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the prime minister accepted that members of the public “will feel frustrated” by the change of rules.
But he added that, in dealing with the coronavirus crisis and moving the country out of lockdown, his government was doing “something that has never had to be done before”.
Mr Johnson’s comments came during the first weekend since measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 were relaxed and the national campaign message was changed from ‘stay at home’ to ‘stay alert’.
New guidance allows people to drive an unlimited distance for exercise and meet one person from a different household in an outdoor setting.
Despite pleas from councils, police and even tourism bosses to stay away from beaches and beauty spots over the weekend, many of Norfolk and Waveney’s coastal towns were noticeably busier than in recent weeks.
In Hunstanton, police were forced to break up a large group of bikers gathered on the seafront.
Mr Johnson has, however, said he trusts Brits to abide by the latest rules in order to accelerate a return to normal life.
He wrote: “I recognise what we are now asking is more complex than simply staying at home - but this is a complex problem and we need to trust in the good sense of the British people.
“If we all stick at it, then we’ll be able, gradually, to get rid of the complexities and the restrictions and make it easier and simpler for families to meet again. But we must move slowly, and at the right time.”
But with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland having chosen not to adopt the government’s new ‘stay alert’ message, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has blamed Mr Johnson for fracturing the relationship between the four nations.
Speaking to the BBC’s Politics Wales programme, he said: “The sooner, frankly, we get back to operating as four nations together, the better.
“I do think responsibility for that lies very largely with the prime minister, who I would have hoped could have got all the ducks in a row before he actually made his speech last Sunday.”
• For the latest COVID-19 news, visit the Norfolk Coronavirus Updates Facebook page.
• You can also subscribe to our daily coronavirus newsletter, providing all the latest from where you live.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here