UK lockdown: Driving now allowed in England to visit parks and take exercise

Boris Johnson says public must still obey the rules on social distancing

People in England will be able to drive to other destinations when the lockdown restrictions are eased on Wednesday, according to Boris Johnson.

The prime minister outlined the change after telling the public he wanted to encourage them to take “unlimited amounts” of outdoor exercise.

However he went on to say that it was only allowed if done with members of the same household.

“From this Wednesday, we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise,” he said.

“You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household.

“You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.”

Government advice had previously stated that people should only leave home for essential reasons such as food shopping and one form of daily exercise.

However the new law passed in England did not ban driving for exercise or exercising more than once a day. And last month the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed it was “lawful to drive for exercise” after police forces were criticised for stopping motorists travelling to beauty spots for walks.

Mr Johnson did not clarify whether motorists could drive to other destinations for what would previously be regarded as “non-essential reasons”.

Police forces across the UK have issued fines to dozens of motorists for travelling hundreds of miles during the lockdown, including a man who made a 224-mile round trip to pick up a £15 eBay purchase with his wife in the boot of the car.

The Police Federation, which represents officers in England and Wales, said that they needed “clear and unambiguous guidance” on how to police the existing restrictions.

Chair John Apter said: “Police officers will continue to do their best, but their work must be based on crystal clear guidance, not loose rules that are left open to interpretation – because that will be grossly unfair on officers whose job is already challenging.

“If the message of what is expected of the public is not clear then it will make the job of policing this legislation almost impossible.”