New guidance clearly explaining what is and isn’t acceptable under the Government’s lockdown restrictions has been published.
The Crown Prosecution Service, in conjunction with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing, has issued a clear explainer on what constitutes a reasonable excuse to leave your home during lockdown.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the lockdown has been extended by 3 weeks until 7th May in a bid to ensure that the country can recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
Necessities
There is no need for all a person’s shopping to be basic food supplies; the purchase of snacks and luxuries is still permitted. In general terms, a person has a reasonable excuse to visit the shops which remain open to customers under the Regulations.
If a person is already out of the address with good reason, then it would not be proportionate to prevent the person from buying nonessential items. Food could include hot food from takeaways.
‘Obtain’ includes purchasing, but could include collecting or sharing items, provided this is genuine.
Likely to be reasonable
• Buying several days’ worth of food including luxury items and alcohol
• Buying a small amount of a staple item or necessity such as a newspaper, bread or milk
• Collecting surplus basic food items from a friend
• Buying tools and supplies to repair a fence panel (maintenance and upkeep)
Not likely to be reasonable
• Buying paint and brushes simply to redecorate the kitchen (renovation and improvements)
Exercise
Exercise can come in many forms, including walks. Exercise must involve some movement, but it is acceptable for a person to stop for a break in exercise. However, a very short period of ‘exercise’ to excuse a long period of inactivity may mean that the person is not engaged in ‘exercise’ but in fact something else.
It is lawful to drive for exercise.
Likely to be reasonable
• Going for a run, cycle, practising yoga, walking in the countryside or in cities, or attending to an allotment
• Driving to the countryside and walking (where far more time is spent walking than driving)
• Stopping to rest or to eat lunch whilst on a long walk
• Exercising more than once per day (consideration as to whether repeated exercise on the same day can be considered a ‘reasonable excuse’ for leaving home)
Not likely to be reasonable
• Driving for a prolonged period with only brief exercise
• A short walk to a park bench, when the person remains seated for a much longer period
Work
There is no requirement to be a key worker or essential worker in order to travel to work. Anyone can travel to work if it is not reasonably possible to work from home. A request from an employer
to attend the work place should be sufficient. But there is no requirement for the person to have any written proof of a need to go to work or volunteering. Police should not ask for ID documents or any other kind of document.
There is no requirement for volunteers to work for a registered organisation or charity. There is no requirement for the volunteering to be related to COVID-19.
Likely to be reasonable
• A key worker or other essential worker travelling to work where it is not reasonably possible to work from home
• A non-key worker or non-essential worker travelling to work where it is not reasonably possible to work from home
• A person delivering food packages to vulnerable people
Not likely to be reasonable
• A person who can work from home choosing to work in a local park
• A person knocking on doors offering to do cash-in-hand work
Other reasons
Vet’s surgeries remain open and so taking an animal for emergency treatment would qualify as a good reason (as the owner has a duty to preserve welfare). But visiting a vet’s surgery where a call
would suffice would not be reasonable.
The Regulations allow people to move house. This means that individuals can move between households. But this should be a genuine move (ie,measured in days, not hours).
Social visits are not generally a good reason to leave home. However, there may be exceptional circumstances for a person to visit another (eg, a hospital authorising a particular person to visit).
Likely to be reasonable
• Taking an animal for treatment
• Moving to a friend’s address for several days to allow a ‘cooling-off’ following arguments at home
• Providing support to vulnerable people
Not likely to be reasonable
• Visiting a vet’s surgery in person to renew a prescription (where this can be done over the phone)
• Visiting a friend in their address or meeting in public to socialise
So we can drive to the beach to exercise then now it seems. Unfortunately can’t go as it is raining. Typical.
You can walk in the rain can’t you?
I prefer to go when it stops, just back now, after waiting until the sun came out.
“Patience not Patients” should be the new saying for the lockdown duration to ensure peeps stay in.
– it’s the ‘in’ places where you are most at risk, not outdoor areas.
Shops/supermarkets, banks, offices etc.
-Yet the outdoor spaces are the one’s being patrolled !
…and even sing (that hasn’t been made illegal yet!).
Wish they would make their mind up what we can and cant do …
Please read my message and let me know what you think. About the downs?
Haha
Yes golly it’s laughable, the sheep people are starting to panic, because maybe just maybe us non sheep people,may be right after all. It’s easy to fool people, but not so easy to convince them that they have been fooled. Ha ha. Watching with interest.
Says we can drive to the countryside and cities, no mention of the beach!
Meaningless and contradictory. This now tells us we can take a lunch break during our hours walk that we’ve driven to. Try that with a Rozzer stood nearby and see what happens.
So basically it a free for all then, just watch the roads now……going to be a total disaster, unpolicable.
Agree Barry, give people an inch, they’ll take a mile. Really hope it doesn’t backfire.
I don’t believe the above was written by anyone who’s first language is English
Did you mean “whose”?
That is too funny! 😀
If you can buy tools and materials to repair a fence why is it unreasonable to buy paint and brushes to redecorate the kitchen? It is ridiculous and inconsistent rules like this which puts the publics back up about these necessary restrictions.
What about compost? I need to plant my spuds but haven’t enough can I buy that? Who’s knows?
Yes you can. I got mine from b&q click and collect.
The key word is “essential”.
If the fence is dangerous or poses a risk in some way (e.g. animals or children escaping) then there is an urgent need to repair it and so your trip is essential.
It would be hard to find the same justification for needing to urgently repaint a kitchen. (Other than the psychological benefit which, up to now, hasn’t really been factored in).
There is, of course, no reason why you can’t put paint and brushes in the basket when your buying items for an urgent repair.
You might need a good excuse though if you try to justify a car full of DIY materials on a trip out to get a washer for a dripping tap.
What about people who are coming from the mainland to let there kids see there parents is that okay or not ???
No. That’s the opposite of quarantine
LoL at the people why do not understand sarcasm. Hint, Rachel was the one being sarcastic.
This has confused what was clear guidance to the majority of people. There will now be more traffic on the on roads with people not keeping to walking locally. Likely hood of cars parked close together or illegally due to car park closures. Encouraging larger groups of people.
The hospital and the police do not need any more pull on their resources. We as an Island have done well in keeping Co-vid numbers down by the measures adhered to. We need to keep this up, it would not take much to ramp numbers up. As we know the nature of humans will be to push this guidance to the limit. Please think of the frontline workers. Let’s not undo what we have achieved.
We need to be sensible and think of the consequences if we all follow this guidance.
Not sure if you are arguing that the car parks shouldn’t be closed, we all have a crash every time we go out or that everyone on the island is a thoughtless idiot.
Only one of those is backed up by any real evidence, though I suspect it’s not the one you intended to support.
Perhaps we should adopt one of the basic principles of law in this country – innocent until proven guilty.
Just because a minority of people around the country put themselves and others at risk that does not mean we should assume the rest of us are equally irresponsible.
People across the country have shown that they can behave sensibly and follow the rules. They have also shown that they will challenge those rules if those in positions of authority interpret them in a way that seems unfair, illogical or excessive.
When that happens it puts everything we have sacrificed so much for at risk.
As you point out, closing car parks actually has a detrimental effect. Far better to support their safe use by, for example, blocking off alternate spaces with sandbags so that numbers are limited and cars are kept a safe distance apart.
In the unlikely event that there is a stampede to Sandown seafront then it would be reasonable and proportionate for police to take action and turn people away.
Doing so when there is no clear problem “just in case everyone did it” goes against the fundamental principles that justice in this country are based on and destroys respect not only for the police themselves, but also the rules they are trying to enforce.
The guidance exists to clarify that the aim – safe social distancing – can (and must) be achieved without the excessive restrictions that you are promoting – restrictions that would rapidly erode public confidence and support for the lockdown.
The aim has always been to avoid virus transfer by socially distancing not to incarcerate the population or shut society down completely.
Despite the assertions by many on here and elsewhere, the two are not the same.
This new guidance makes that crystal clear.
“So that cars are kept at a safe distance apart” – Does this mean that cars are affected by the the virus too ?
– I hope mine doesn’t catch it.
(But mirth aside , I think what you said is reasonable. – So I’m voting your comments Up!)
This is NOT the time to slacken the guidence. As mentioned by others, give so.e people an inch and they take yards. Would have been better to tighten up, increase police visability and enforcment. It seems the decision makers are not helping the majority keep safe just trying to be over fair on the minority
.
The only thing I don’t get is why we should be prevented from buying paint and brushes, or whatever else is needed in order to redecorate rooms in our houses. It seems to me that decorating is a perfectly reasonable thing to do when you’re stuck at home most of the time, when you perhaps usually don’t have that much spare time to tackle jobs around the house. Why can’t those dreaming up these rules see that?
I totally agree with you. What difference does it make if you pop a tin of paint in your supermarket trolley along with a tin of beans. I’ve painted my garden fences and decking also my bedroom walls . Some of us just have to keep busy (living on my own ) to keep sane.
Not all the same colour of ‘Sage Green’ one hopes Wendy-Jane, also ensure the label on the paint and beans don’t come adrift.
I don’t think there is anything stopping you getting paint and brushes whilst you are already in the shop getting something else for an urgent repair.
You just can’t make a specific trip for non-essentials like decorating materials.
I think it’s saying that you can’t go to the shop solely for paint and brushes rather than you’re not allowed to purchase them at all.
I believe it means u cannot go out specifically for paint. But if your out getting shopping a tin of paint in your trolley wont get you knicked
If you want to decorate then you need more shops open. And then you’ll have more people out. It’s about limiting exposure. Going to B&Q to get decorating is not limiting exposure. It’s also putting more people on the roads that could have an accident and put more strain on the NHS.
I don’t see a problem getting the items you need if they are at the supermarket too. But going to a second shop, no, unless your goal is to spreed this around as much as possible.
And while you are home decorating, you are not out and about spreading the virus.
… and it aids our health, welfare, morale and keeps the wife happy…
– Don’t ‘Clamp Down’ on that please, or we’ll go mad and have to be arrested !
So can we go surfing as we’re out in the water longer than were in the car ?
Dave yes I think we should be able to but you know you’ll always get someone saying; put on squeaky wimpy voice for this ” What if you get into trouble, a lifeboat will have to risk getting within two metres” Even though cyclist are far more likely to end up needing assistance ( not having a go at cyclist here. I am and still do) As I’ve said before those who do nowt with their lives are loving this as an excuse to continue in the same vain and slate anyone with a life.
No doubt you include yourself as a person with no life? A lot of slating going on in your post
No dear Mary I indeed have a full and interesting life, Surfing and cycling just two of my dalliances . Sorry if you consider yourself the squeaky naysayer but if the cap fits.
The police would say no but it would be interesting to hear how they would argue in court that surfing was not a form of exercise.
You should also consider those who might have to come to your aid should you get into trouble.
Not being a surfer myself I cannot comment on the chances of your surfing resulting in an accident that requires the attendance of the emergency services and how much greater the risk would be than, for example, for someone cycling or jogging.
Perhaps a surfer and/or someone from the rescue services could provide an expert view on the risks to put this in context.
Found this if it helps and this is world wide so sharks attacks not likely at Compton
Facts about surfing injuries
Surfing is regarded as a safe sport. Compared to some other sports the overall risk of injury is low (2.2 injuries per 1,000 surfing days or 0.26 injuries per surfer per year) and the large majority of injuries are not serious.
There were 8 surfing fatalities in UK waters between 2011 and 2015.
102 cyclist killed per year
Yes i know there is more cyclist and still would be if surfing was allowed again during lock down.
The Police are not having to argue anything in court. That is why they are going round with such relish.
They have been handed Special Powers to issue On the Spot fines which double if not paid promptly.
They are acting as Judge, Jury and Executioner against normal law abiding people out walking their dogs and families.
– This is what everyone is upset by..
Latest worst case death predictions due to covid-19 infections seem to be around 40 000 people out of a population of 66.65 million. That means less than 100 extra deaths on the isle of wight. A figure of concern but does it justify a complete economic shutdown?
It does if one of those lives saved is a close relative of yours. Would you not agree with that?
NO! I am thinking of the wellbeing of the entire nation. All of my close relatives are drawing a pension.
The predictions are low BECAUSE we’re locked down.
If people weren’t silly and trying to take the mickey then we wouldn’t need rules to be so precise. The whole idea is to prevent covid19 spreading. It doesn’t take a genius to work it out.
Farmers can Charter Plains to bring Eastern Europeans 250 a time on six flights for fruit picking, Police say this is allowed? You can only Govern buy consent of the people and this example is not exeptable.
Planes
Planes bring Poles to Pick Plants on the Plains…
And why do you think that is?…..The British won’t do it, because it’s hard back breaking work, and I should know I’ve done it!
Plandemic rings a bell!!! Do as we say… as we want to control you… it’s planned
So you can go to a friends if you’ve had a row at home but not to socialise with them?! What’s the difference? And anyone could go and visit friends and say they’ve had a row at home who can police that? Ridiculous who made up these new rules!
“Visiting a friend in their address or meeting in public to socialise”
See a lot of that. “Knock knock. Alright mate, you coming in for a drink? Yer sure why not….”
My husband drove to the downs to take our dogs for a run. He is disabled but can walk, exercise on flat ground which it is. He got stopped by the police halfway up and told to go back down. If he goes there again he will be fined or get a criminal record. My argument is that on the downs you could see 2-3 people at any time, and they were keeping a safe distance between them. He has more chance of catching Covid in Tesco. Does anyone know the clear guidelines. My poor dog’s have been stuck in for 3 weeks. My husband can’t walk them on leads. I have contacted our MP who just replied to my email with a copy of the rules which doesn’t say that you can’t take your dogs for a run.
Don’t waste your hopes on a disinterested MP then …. perhaps the Press might be able to elicit more of a response from rulemakers.
You were treated appallingly, yet your experience is quite common it seems.
“Does anyone know the clear guidelines.”?
The article above gives just those guidelines Marion
Quote: “The Crown Prosecution Service, in conjunction with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing, has issued a clear explainer on what constitutes a reasonable excuse to leave your home during lockdown.
Exercise
It is lawful to drive for exercise.
Likely to be reasonable
• Driving to the countryside and walking (where far more time is spent walking than driving)”
If I was you, I’d print a copy of the article above and take it with me when driving to the downs to walk the dogs, & then show it to any over enthusiastic police officer who challenges you.
Marion, the actual Guidance document issued to the police can be found here
https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/COVID-19/Documents/What-constitutes-a-reasonable-excuse.pdf
See paragraph 2 of the ‘Excercise section’
“Reasonable reason to leave home: Driving to countryside and walking (where far more time is spent walking than driving). “
Have read that Police had found what they describe as a ‘Serial Sunbather’ in a park in Sandown. Apparently this criminal has already been fined once.
Like the elderly lady caught and fined on Bournemouth seafront for brazenly eating whilst sitting on a bench. The Police are clearly excelling in their zeal to bring these perpetrators to justice.
The defence that they were not putting anyone in danger, being at a very long distance away from others, is ignored as they are now criminals with a criminal record.
– If only I could have engendered the same zealous response when my car was deliberately vandalised and on another occasion had my life threatened. On both occasions I was told they didn’t have the resources to investigate…
It’s always much easier to target ordinary people than to investigate crime and it enhances the capital A in police Authority..
– beware.