This is when the UK lockdown has been extended to - and official police guidelines on reasonable excuses to leave home

The UK lockdown is to be extended for a further three weeks, the government has announced.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab revealed the news on Thursday 16 April, stating that restrictions need to remain in place until at least 7 May.

What are the rules on leaving home?

In the wake of the lockdown extension, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) have now made the guidance issued to police forces on what constitutes a “reasonable” excuse for people to leave their homes public.

The guidance lists clarifications to the rules for the next three weeks of lockdown, including how police should manage shopping, exercise, key workers and allowing people to leave home to avoid arguments.

This is what the guidance states:

Shopping

What is allowed:

- 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.

What is not allowed:

Police can take action over people who leave their home for reasons not considered ‘essential’, such as buying a paint and brushes to do some redecoration.

The regulations relate to upkeep and maintenance - not renovation.

Exercise

What is allowed:

- Going for a run or cycle, practising yoga, walking in the countryside or in cities or attending an allotment