Dr Hilary urges people not to wash their cars during lockdown

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Ewan Somerville15 April 2020

Dr Hilary Jones has urged Brits not to wash their cars during lockdown, describing it as “non essential”.

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan questioned the expert, who is a regular on the show, about which household chores were still allowed, with many Brits left scrambling for things to do.

Describing his Aston Martin as “filthy”, he asked if car-washing on driveways could still take place given machines at petrol garages are shut.

"The windows are all getting filthy, and I have to drive myself to work,” he said. “And I can imagine there are a lot of people out there who are driving, not an Aston Martin, but vans, lorries, whatever.

Dr Hilary warned Brits against washing their cars in driveways
ITV

"What is the rule, there are no car washes open, are you allowed, under Government guidelines, to wash your car?"

Dr Hilary replied curtly: "Washing your car is non-essential. Apart from being able to see through the windscreen for safety."

The warning did not go down well on social media.

One user tweeted: “Dr Hilary saying you can’t go outside and wash your car! On your own driveway? I’m not sure that’s any different than going outside to cut the grass! Or, in fact, leaving the driveway to go for a run!”

Piers Morgan asked Dr Hilary if he could clean his Aston Martin
ITV/REX

Another fumed: “Dr Hilary is mad for suggesting washing your car on your own drive is not allowed... he should give some serious thought to what he says first.”

Another complained their “day has just been shafted”.

It is the latest confusion to emerge over the Government’s social distancing rules to combat the coronavirus, which ban all non-essential outings.

The force later apologised, describing the incident as “well-intentioned but ill-informed”.

Government guidelines do not explicitly outlaw gardening or pottering about on driveways - one of few comforts for house-bound Brits during the sunny weather.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is standing in for the recovering Prime Minister, said last week that “we’re not done yet” with the measures.

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