New police lockdown guidance changes in full from driving for exercise and shopping rules

New guidance has been issued to police which states that driving to a place to exercise is 'likely to be reasonable' - and lists other changes to the rules for the next three weeks of lockdown.
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The guidance issued to police forces on Friday morning from the National Police Chiefs Council has updated advice for officers when interpreting lockdown laws and enforcing them.

Changes include how police should manage shopping, exercise, key workers and allowing people to leave home to avoid arguments.

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The advice says key workers should not be asked for ID, and that people are allowed to buy non-essential items like snacks and luxuries alongside their regular shopping.

Halifax town centreHalifax town centre
Halifax town centre

What does the police lockdown guidance say?

Shopping - the new rules explained

Listed under '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 (eg, a newspaper, pet food, a loaf of bread or pint of milk).

- Collecting surplus basic food items from a friend.

- Buying tools and supplies to repair a fence panel damaged in recent bad weather.

Under 'not likely to be reasonable:

- Buying paint and brushes, simply to redecorate a kitchen.

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What counts as reasonable reasons to go outside for exercise?

- going for a run or cycle or practicing yoga. Walking in the countryside or in cities. Attending an allotment.

- Driving to countryside and walking (where far more time is spent walking than driving).

- Stopping to rest or to eat lunch while on a long walk.

- Exercising more than once per day - the only relevant consideration is whether repeated exercise on the same day can be considered a ‘reasonable excuse’ for leaving home.

What is not likely to be reasonable exercise:

- Driving for a prolonged period with only brief exercise.

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- A short walk to a park bench, when the person remains seated for a much longer period.

What counts as reasonable travel to work:

- 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 key worker travelling to work where it is not reasonably possible to work from home

- A person delivering food packages to vulnerable people.

What is not likely to be reasonable for work:

- A person who can work from home choosing to work in a local park.

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- A person knocking on doors offering to do cashin-hand work.

Other reasonable reasons to leave home:

- 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.

What is not likely to be seen as reasonable:

- Visiting a vet’s surgery in person to renew a prescription (where this could be done over the phone).

- Visiting a friend in their address or meeting in public to socialise.