How far can you travel to do exercise in lockdown?
New year, new exercise regimes, new you?
The need for exercise has never been more important, as people across the UK face lockdown restrictions, forcing them to stay at home as much as possible.
While the current message from the government is to stay at home, exercise is one of the few reasons people are allowed to leave their house.
But how far you can travel for your daily exercise has come into question of late.
It comes as two women were fined £200 for meeting up in an outdoor space five miles from their home and Prime Minister Boris Johnson was spotted cycling more than seven miles away from his home.
But there’s also some confusion after policing minister Kit Malthouse said exercise should be ‘quick and close to home’ but ’70 mile bike rides are okay.’
How far can you travel to do exercise in lockdown?
Official government guidance states: ‘You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.’
However, the term ‘local area’ has been difficult to define.
A comment from the Department of Health and Social Care this week said: ‘The term “local area” in this context has not been legally defined.
‘However, people should be sensible about this – if you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live – unless there is a justifiable reason not to do so (for example, you need to travel further for work or to avoid harm).’
A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) told ITV News that the coronavirus laws do not restrict the distance you can exercise.
The NPCC spokesperson said: ‘Police officers will be inquisitive about why people are out of their homes and will explain the regulations and encourage people to comply. Where people are breaching the regulations and are away from home without a reasonable excuse, they may be issued with a FPN (Fixed Penalty Notice).
‘In situations where people are breaching the guidance not to travel out their local area but are not breaching regulations, officers will encourage people to follow the guidance.’
While tennis courts, golf courses and swimming pools are all shut, parks, beaches, public gardens and playgrounds all remain open.
If you, or a person in your care, has a health condition that routinely requires you to leave home to maintain your healthy – then you can do so.
You should also note that travel to other parts of the UK from England is currently not allowed – so you cannot cross the border into Scotland or Wales except for essential reasons, such as for reasons of work or education.
Who can I exercise with during lockdown?
Government guidance states personal training can continue one-on-one unless everyone is within the same household or support bubble.
You can exercise in a public outdoor place:
- By yourself
- With the people you live with
- With your support bubble (if you are legally permitted to form one)
- In a childcare bubble where providing childcare
- When on your own, with one person from another household
MORE : UK facing even tougher lockdown with masks in more places and limits on exercise
MORE : Exercise should be ‘quick and close to home’ but ‘70 mile bike rides are okay’
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