As the police begin to enforce the coronavirus lockdown laws, Island Echo has put together an easy-to-read exhaustive list of all the reasons you are permitted to leave your home address.
As the Island’s leading news website, Island Echo has been inundated with questions and comments about trips outside of the home. It is important to note that if it is not included below, it is not allowed.
You can ONLY leave the house for the following reasons:
1. To shop for basic necessities like food and medical supplies for people in your own household or for someone vulnerable; this includes shopping for pet food. You are also able to shop for supplies needed to keep your home maintained (where absolutely essential), or to obtain money.
2. To take exercise either alone or with other members of their household. This does not include travelling in a motor vehicle, or taking public transport, to a location away from your home. Exercise is running, walking or cycling. Working on your allotment plot is also included as exercise.
3. To seek medical assistance.
4. To provide care or support to someone vulnerable, or provide emergency assistance.
5. To donate blood.
6. To travel for the purposes of work only where it is not possible to work or provide services from home, including voluntary or charitable roles.
7. To attend a funeral, but only when they are a member of your household or a close family member. If the deceased doesn’t have any family attending, you are able to attend as a friend.
8. To fulfill legal obligations, like attending court hearings or to take part in legal proceedings.
9. To access critical public services. You can visit childcare or educational facilities where they are still available or social services. You are able to access services provided by the Department of Work and Pensions, or services for victims (of crime, for example).
10. To co-parent. Parents who are separated can continue their existing parenting arrangements.
11. To go to a place of worship, but only if you are a minister of religion or worship leader.
12. To move house, but only where this is absolutely necessary.
13. To avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm.
Although not included in the legislation, the government says owners of animals, such as horses, can tend to them.
Regardless of the reasons above, if you have symptoms of coronavirus and must remain at home for 7 days, or 14 days as a household.
Police across the country have the power to fine citizens who are outside for reasons other than those listed in this article. If you fail to comply with their order to return home, you could be arrested. The Government’s instructions are not requests – it is law.
Source: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020
Hope the photo at the top of this story showing three police officers definitely not following social distancing guidelines is a stock photo.
Looks like Appley beach. Thought they could at least have set a good example.
It says a stock photo from 2016
Obviously they have short sleeves it is summer. It also says stock photo2016!
It says stock 2016
It’s an old photo if you look properly
Photo taken 2016
Yeah. As if you mAy give me my ic chip at info vouchers head
Can’t seem to find any reference to not using a motor vehicle in section 6 (or any other part) of the legislation on the official government website:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/made
What is the government source for the addition appearing in item 2 of your list that stops people, for example, driving under a mile (carrying tools) in total isolation to reach an allotment?
Just checked the official government clarification on
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces
It states “ stay local and use open spaces near to your home where possible – do not travel unnecessarily”
Again, no mention of not using a motor vehicle and, in fact, a clear recommendation to use open spaces.
Unfortunately, no precise definition of “near to your home” but the original intent was clearly to stop large numbers of people travelling tens or even hundreds of miles, not to stop an elderly person from getting to their allotment less than a mile from their home or dog owners from being able to exercise them safely at a nearby open space.
Nb. To those about to respond with arguments about breakdowns, accidents and injuries I would say that I am not advocating long journeys and would add that modern cars can make hundreds of one mile trips on a tank of fuel, they are reliable, accidents are rare and you are more likely to be injured running or cycling than walking in an open space.
People getting too close to you can happen anywhere and has one cause – people not to taking action to avoid it.
It says “do not travel unnecessarily”.. driving somewhere to walk the dog is unnecessary
Isn’t it?
If I walk my dogs from my home I meet loads of people. If I drive to an open space 1.5 miles away and walk dogs I don’t see a soul.
Because Mark there isn’t any. No good asking the Police, they evidently have no idea of the Regulations either.
I hope the police are out and about the cycle route in West Wight this morning, as, if it like yesterday, two groups of cyclists drove past my house, and will probably do so again this morning. The first group had 7, the second 6, all adults and no doubt not living together.
Households also include houseshares, eg students
Well done
Place of worship? They let you out to do pretend stuff, that cant be right.
Only if you are a minister of religion or worship leader
Only if you are the vicar lol
Walking the dog not included ???
That’s classed as exercise
The advisory bit about “attending to animals” should cover that.
you list of what you are allowed to do with ref to virus restrictions hasn’t added that you can attend live stock
Where is the list then ?
Feeding livestock seems like it should be one
Please can you reassure us that this is not a recent image of our local police force! Social distancing applies to everyone
It says 2016!
It says 2016 on the photo
“To go to a place of worship” is not essential. They can function just as well with a phone and the internet. If I have to stay in for 12 weeks the least the religious community can stay in too for as long as it take, including the practitioners!
Did you actually read the WHOLE of the paragraph?
@C N Jarvis Do you not know what “practitioners” mean?
It also said you can only visit the place of worship if you are the minister aka the vicar. Of course the vicar will be allowed to remain there alone
That is what “practitioners” means. It is all encompassing.
Well said
Is it just me or can no one see the 13 reasons?
Where is the list of 13 reasons ? i see the headlines but no list.
Can anyone see the 13 reasons or am i missing something???
Apologies for those who couldn’t see the list. This will have affected anyone who is running an adblocker.
Aren’t we all using ad blockers ?
Other reasons include stupidity, ignorance, selfishness, complete lack of morality and a desperate urge to purchase lage amounts of pasta and toilet roll
Or workers whose employers insist on them working in non essential jobs
Number 10 about co parenting can someone advice if one of the parents partner is a key worker is it wise for the children to go back and forth to their parents.thank you
“The more people go out and mingle, the longer this isolation will last and the more it will spread.
“I’m not a doctor but I do know if you stay home you are less likely to catch it or pass it on.
When you leave your home you are at high risk of catching covid-19 and possibly die from this virus,young or old none of us are safe from this killer virus….
I bought a new car before the lockdown I’ve already paid for it am I allowed to go and pick it up
I suppose it depends if you’ll need it for any of the listed reasons? Otherwise we shouldn’t be driving anywhere else
We bought a boat on the norfolk broads the week before lockdown now we can’t use it lol
Uk police should use the same force as the police in India.Beat them with a stick if your outside man,woman or child.I don’t think anyone with a brain would go outside then..
Perhaps one could give additional controversial reasons why we cannot leave our homes to.
1 The Police fear robbery, looting and other crime as society knows that law enforcement is sketchy and they are otherwise engaged, and such will quickly spread across the land once people break out of their estates.
2 Those leaders and pillars of society now living in large homes, detached from anyone else, with fields and woods separating them from their nearest neighbours, likely fear the invasion of the masses, bringing their germs, and crime anywhere near them at this sensitive time.
3 Fly tipping will litter the Isle if people are allowed to drive into the country now the tip is closed
As another poster said, it is far easier to entertain oneself, if you live in the countryside in a large home and have more to life than a large TV and sky.
Perhaps this is a test to see if people obey, but as times goes on the pressures will mount, and those trying to implement these wise rules will not be able to stop the masses from breaking out.
I think all should abide by the rules, but I know many will not unless forced to do so.
Thanks for those cheerful words…
Can I visit our late daughters grave with fresh flowers?
Your daughter would not want you to risk infection or your lives . Love for your child is there with or without flowers. Perhaps light a candle At home once a day and talk about a special time you shared when she was alive
How do you know?
What if you are a key worker, need your car for work but it needs repairs. This list dose not include that but you have to keep your car in a road worthy condition. Maybe 14 reasons.
They have forgotten.
14. Using the launderette/dry cleaners.
These are permitted to remain open under the governments rules – see exceptions…
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance
As they are permitted to be open, then it stands to reason that you are permitted to go out and do the washing, if you have no machine.
Good point – clothes are going to get pretty smelly after 6 months lockdown (unless you exercise in the rain)
Just use your common sense! It ain’t that hard if you have some!
Anyone know if the rail stations are enforcing the parking charges, I guess they are not but do not know for sure? I can’t get hold of them on the phone. I need a new season ticket for car. Seems this lock down prevents me from moving it. Being forced to get parking ticket is unfair.
So can I go fishing on my own for fresh fish to eat?
They forgot about dogging
Why not discuss the topic…not the stock photo.
Hi,
So if my tenancy contract run out , can i kicked out?
Not sure the advice is correct in relation to travel in a car to a place such as a footpath through the countryside for the purpose of exercise. This appears to me to be allowed under the terms of the Regulations in the same way that travel to a supermarket for food shopping is clearly allowed.
Don’t think you can. I did read that you can only go within a 1000 yards of your home. You also can’t drive elsewhere to walk your dog – though I know someone who had done.
please bear in mind the list of 13 things at the top is not ‘official’…as it clearly says, it has been put together by the Island Echo
Omg there you all go again, light the torches get the pitch forks , police stood too close together in the photo , this is my point , people are so quick to try and condemn others you clearly havent even looked at it properly before your shouting your mouths off , and as for beating people with sticks , man , woman or child for venturing out of the door ? What is wrong with you ? , we know its a serious situation but before we start beating people shouldnt we at least ask them first if they are going to pick up a prescription , or having their daily exercise or maybe one of our essential service providers before we roll out the angry mob .
Still the cyclists out in groups ! For goodness sake … they must think they’re invincible !
If you’re one of these cyclists and are reading this – shame on you – go out on your own, or with who you live with, round the area you live, stop communicating with each other and arranging to meet up on the sly.
Why are cyclists allowed to travel for miles all round the island surely they can use an exercise bike indoors and joggers spitting along the way in groups it’s one rule for them and one rule for others you can only walk your dog where you live and not be out for too long yet they are out all day
What can you do if you know someone is breaking the lockdown rules
You are allowed, under the new government guidlines, to burn thier house down
This whole situation is ridiculous. Here we all are trying to do the best for us all . The government and media really have done a job on us all they really have. Why do think this!? There are many reasons that would take pages to explain, but let me tell you what I saw on tv in the houses of parliament discussing this virus,and how best the public can do what’s right. While one of the front bench mp s was putting her point across, behind her sat two other colleagues, 6 ft apart, well done,the nation is watching! Then one of these persons passes a tick tac box to another colleague, he takes one and passes it back. Wow! A they lock us all in our houses because it’s a killer. The people in the know arent serious,so ask why this happened.
My allotment is about seven miles away am I allowed to travel by car to do work there ?