Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the contribution of regular exercise to helping people to prevent the contraction of (a) the common cold, (b) influenza, (c) covid-19, (d) heart disease and (e) other (i) common pathogens and (ii) serious illnesses.
No specific assessments have been made. The Chief Medical Officer is clear that being physically active is important to long-term health and crucial for keeping people healthy during the ongoing pandemic. Evidence suggests that regular physical activity can promote good physical health and help manage stress and anxiety.
Throughout the pandemic, parks and outdoor green spaces have remained open. People are allowed to leave their homes for exercise and recreation outdoors, with their household or on their own, or with one person from another household or support bubble.