What is a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave home? The dos and don'ts for the Covid-19 lockdown in Dacorum

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on January 4 that England was entering a third lockdown period. He ordered the country to stay indoors other than for limited exceptions.

People must not leave or be outside of their home except when there is a ‘reasonable excuse’. The police can take action, and issue people who violate the law a fine (fixed penalty notice).

First time offenders can receive a fine of £200, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

Hertfordshire Police issued 380 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) between March 27 and December 20, according to data published by the National Police Chiefs Council.

Of the fines in Hertfordshire, there were six for failing to wear a face covering when required, and six for breaching international travel rules.

There were also six for breaking business regulations and one for gatherings held of more than 30 people.

Chief Superintendent Matt Nicholls, of Hertfordshire Constabulary, said: “None of us can ignore the fact that cases have been rising sharply across the county and the lockdown is in place to save lives. Please follow the rules to protect our NHS and help save lives.

"Our additional police patrols continue and we are working with council COVID marshals, environmental health and trading standards officers to ensure that our communities are behaving responsibly. Anyone found to be knowingly breaking the rules can expect to receive a fixed penalty notice.”

Among the 'reasonable excuses' to travel from home include work, exercise and shopping.

The main contentious issue is 'staying within your local area'. So far, there has not been an official definition of 'local area' but many assume it to be your wider neighbourhood - ie anywhere you can get to without driving.

A ‘reasonable excuse’ to travel from home includes:

- Work or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home

- Shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person

- Meeting others to visit people in support bubble ( if legally permitted to form one)

- Exercise - You can continue to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and should not involve travel outside the local area.

- Meet others to provide informal childcare for children under 14 as part of a childcare bubble (for example, to enable parents to work, not to enable social contact between adults)

- Meet others to provide care for disabled or vulnerable people

- Meet others to provide emergency assistance

- Meet others to attend a support group (of up to 15 people)

- Meet others for respite care where that care is being provided to a vulnerable person or a person with a disability, or is a short break in respect of a looked-after child.

- You can leave home for a medical reason, including to get a Covid-19 test, for medical appointments and for emergencies.

- Attending a MOT test booking.

- You may leave home to fulfil legal obligations

- You may also leave home to visit someone who is dying or someone in a care home (if permitted under care home guidance), hospice, or hospital, or to accompany them to a medical appointment.

- You may leave home to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property

- You can leave home for animal welfare reasons, such as to attend veterinary services for advice or treatment.

- Allotments remain open, but you cannot meet with someone outside your household or support bubble there unless another exemption applies.

- Playgrounds are primarily open for use by children who do not have access to private outdoor space, like their own garden. Although you can take your children to a playground for exercise, you must not socialise with other people while there.