The government has clarified the rules around travelling for permitted reasons during the national coronavirus lockdown.
The updated guidance explaining the emergency laws state that people should stay local, as near to their homes as possible unless it is absolutely necessary to travel further, for work for example.
“Stay local means stay in the village, town, or part of the city where you live”, the National lockdown: Stay at Home government webpage reads.
Last weekend, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police fined several people for travelling onto the Salisbury Plain Training Area from outside of what is defined as the local area.
One man needed emergency medical treatment after falling an injuring himself whilst visiting Erlestoke Woods. On this occasion, not staying local tied up a significant number of 999 crews for 90 minutes. He and his family were all issued £200 lockdown fines.
The nation is currently under a strict lockdown. You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may only leave the home to:
– shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
– go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
– exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
– meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
– seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
– attend education or childcare – for those eligible
