When can you go outside during the UK coronavirus lockdown? Here's what you need to know
THE UK has been on lockdown for over a week now as the fight against the coronavirus continues.
If you are still wondering when you are allowed to leave your home, here’s what you need to know:
Shopping for basic necessities
The Prime Minister asked the public to go out to buy basic necessities such as food and medicine ‘as infrequently as possible’ and to use delivery services where they could.
He said all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores, would be closed immediately.
Shops permitted to stay open include: supermarkets and other food shops, health shops, pharmacies including non-dispensing pharmacies, petrol stations, bicycle shops, home and hardware shops, laundrettes and dry cleaners, bicycle shops, garages, car rentals, pet shops, corner shops, newsagents, post offices and banks.
One form of exercise a day
Mr Johnson also said: ‘You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No.’
But he said going to the park for a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household - was acceptable.
Government guidance says even when doing these activities, you should be minimising the time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are two metres apart from anyone outside of your household.
Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
Medical needs or providing care for vulnerable people are also permitted reasons for leaving the home - and this includes going out to donate blood.
Following the PM's address, a spokesman for NHS Blood and Transplant said: ‘People can still donate blood. Giving blood is classed as a medical need and a form of helping vulnerable people.
‘It is essential to patients and the NHS. If you are fit and well, please keep donating as normal.’
Travelling to and from work when absolutely necessary
Travelling to and from work is only allowed for those listed as key workers and who cannot work from home by any means.
This list includes doctors, nurses, delivery drivers and some teachers.
These measures are effective immediately but the Government will review them in three weeks - and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.