Police chiefs have issued guidance to forces on the "reasonable" excuses people can leave their homes during the coronavirus lockdown - including a cooling-off period after arguments.

It comes as Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced a three-week extension to the country's lockdown regulations.

Since the coronavirus restrictions were put in place in March, police have spent time and effort on catching people out for an unnecessary drive, dispersing groups in parks or, in some extreme cases, monitoring certain supermarket aisles.

Image: Britons are being urged to stay at home until 7 May at the earliest

More than 3,200 fines were handed out by police in England between 27 March and 13 April to those considered to be flouting the rules.

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has now issued guidance for police officers in England to explain the reasons that someone could "reasonably" leave their home during the COVID-19 lockdown.


They stress it simply helps officers to interpret on the original government advice.

Image: Supermarkets across the country have social distancing measures in place

Shopping - what you can do:

Buy several days' worth of food, including luxury items and alcohol

Buy a small amount of a staple item or necessity (for example a newspaper, pet food, a loaf of bread or pint of milk)

Collect surplus basic food items from a friend

Buy tools and supplies to repair a fence panel damaged in bad weather

Shoppers who have gone out on their weekly shop to fill their cupboards, fridges and freezers will not be stopped from heading down "non-essential" aisles on their trip.

The guidelines add that as long as shops are open, customers have a reasonable excuse to visit them and that it would not be proportionate to stop people buying "non-essential" items.

It comes after Cambridge Police had to clarify its social distancing guidelines when an officer posted on social media they were monitoring "non-essential" supermarket aisles.

Shopping - what you can't do:

The NPCC said officers may take action over people who pop out to buy a pot of paint and brushes to simply undertake redecoration of a room (for example), as the regulations relate to upkeep and maintenance, not renovation.

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Exercise - what is allowed:

Going for a run or cycle, practising yoga, walking in the countryside or in cities or 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

In some circumstances, exercising more than once per day

What isn't allowed:

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

It is clear from the guidelines that sitting or sunbathing in the park is not permitted, but having a rest during a workout is fine.

Police point out that exercise "must involve some movement".

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Work - what you can do:

Key workers or other essential workers can travel to work where it is not reasonably possible to work from home

Some non-key workers or non-essential key workers can travel to work where it is not reasonably possible to work from home

Deliver food packages to vulnerable people

What you cannot do:

Work in a local park if you're allowed to work from home

Knock on doors offering to do cash-in-hand work

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Clear guidance from the government was issued when schools closed down in March as to who was and was not classed as a key worker - most of whom have been permitted to travel to their place of work.

Some non-key workers have also been allowed to travel to work, should their employer ask them to, or if they cannot work from home.

However, the guidelines state that working from home means working from your home and not local parks or gardens.

The NPCC adds that there is no need for someone to produce proof that they are required to go into work.

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Other reasons to leave home - what you can do:

Go to the vet if your pet needs essential treatment

Move to a friend's address for several days to "cool off" following an argument at home

Provide support to vulnerable people

What you cannot do: