Atherstone on Covid-19 lockdown easing: Don't let the sun turn your head but here's 10 things you ARE allowed to do outside

HOME SECRETARY PRITI PATEL SET TO WARN 'RULE-BREAKING ON THE INCREASE'

NUB News wants to help get Atherstone's fifth weekend under lockdown off on the right foot as the Government again urges the public to stay at home with the Home Secretary expected to produce official data later today that proves rule-breaking is on the increase.

With temperatures expected to hover around 70F, UK government warnings are being sounded after roads, parks and beaches have started filling up again.

Forecasters have predicted warm conditions for most of the country over the weekend, prompting concerns about the "danger" that people may defy the restrictions on movement which began on March 23.

But we have drawn up a '10 things you ARE allowed to do outside' list during lockdown which observes latest Government advice and recently introduced police guidelines on what is acceptable under the restrictions brought in to slow the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

New concerns have been raised with the Government reportedly not ruling out the possibility of granting police additional powers to enforce lockdown measures, with Priti Patel on Saturday expected to condemn those ignoring the ban on travel during the coronavirus restrictions.

While the Government has still not divulged its 'exit from lockdown' intentions ministers are said now to be looking at an old-fashioned BT's 'Friends and Families' style scheme which would allow people to socialise with up to ten of their nearest and dearest.

Senior Cabinet members are said to be considering the option of relaxing the strict 'stay at home' advice to let small groups of households 'cluster' together, allowing close family members to meet for meals, or enable friends to share childcare. Neither group would be allowed to mingle with others outside the 'cluster'.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has touted a similar 'bubble' plan, although the Welsh Assembly yesterday announced tougher measures to stop non-essential trips including using second homes as refuges from Covid-19.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps re-iterated the stay at home message despite apparent improvements in the crisis.

During Friday's Downing Street press conference, said: "The country has done incredibly well in adhering to social distancing and there is a danger as we go into yet another warm sunny weekend that people think that perhaps these graphs are showing that the peak is over.

"It isn't over, we're riding perhaps, we hope, a downward trend but it is by no means, no means established yet."

According to the Met Office, Atherstone, along with most of the UK, will have a sunny weekend, with some cloud and a risk of the odd shower on Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to remain significantly higher than average over both days, before moving closer to average figures next week.

Meteorologist Marco Petagna said Saturday will be bright and sunny for most people.

He said: "It won't be as warm as it has been recently, temperatures have been in the 23C (73F), 24C (75F) range in recent days but we're still looking at highs of 20C(68F) and 21C(70F).

Questions have repeatedly been raised about when the country can expect to move out of lockdown, as well as raising concerns about the method when the time comes.

Mr Shapps said: "When people ask me when will the measures, the social distancing, the stay at home measures, be altered, my answer in some ways is that some of this lies in your own hands.

"The more we adhere to it and are strict about the social distancing that is required, the faster that decision will be able to be made."

That is for the future but in the meantime, hopefully this is where Nub News can help as we are offering 10 things you are allowed to do outside during lockdown while observing latest Government advice and recently introduced police guidelines.

While the lockdown shows no signs of letting up, spending some time outdoors could help with your physical and mental wellbeing.

As long as Government guidelines on social distancing are being followed, people are allowed to leave their homes in certain circumstances.

Previously, the public were told they could only go outdoors to exercise once per day, to buy essential goods and to travel to work if it was not possible to work from home.

New police guidelines, which have subsequently emerged, list a string of scenarios which are likely to be considered reasonable under England's coronavirus lockdown rules.

The document gives more advice to officers on how to interpret the laws – known as the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020.

Here is a list of 10 things you are allowed to do outdoors in England:

- Drive to the countryside for a walk

Now guidelines to police say the public can drive to the countryside to go for a walk, as long as they spend more time walking than driving.

- Exercise more than once per day

The public can go outdoors, either in the town or in the countryside, to exercise, which includes running, cycling, walking, practising yoga and attending an allotment; and

While police guidelines say exercising more than once a day is likely to be reasonable, it gives officers discretion in deciding whether repeated exercise on the same day "can be considered a 'reasonable excuse' for leaving home".

- Stop to rest or have lunch while on a long walk

People who go out to exercise are allowed to stop to take a short break;

This includes stopping to have lunch while on a long walk; however

Police can question those who take a short walk to a park bench if they remain seated longer than they have been walking. - To buy tools and supplies for maintenance and upkeep

The public are allowed to head out to buy tools and supplies, for example, to repair a fence panel damaged in recent bad weather.

- To move in with a friend to "cool off" after an argument

For some people, staying indoors can be suffocating, especially after an argument with family, friends or the people you live with;

To get some respite, new guidelines say people can move in with a friend for several days to cool off after an argument at home;

However, a move between households will only be acceptable if it is a genuine move for several days and not hours; but

People are not allowed to visit friends at their address or in a public place to socialise.

- To provide support to a vulnerable person

You can deliver food packages and offer care and support to vulnerable people in your area;

This rule applies to all volunteers and not just those who work for an organisation or charity; and

While socialising is not allowed, there may be exceptional circumstances for someone to visit a vulnerable person, for example, if a hospital has authorised a visit. - To attend a funeral or visit a cemetery or graveyard

For clarity, funerals can go ahead with close family present while social distancing measures must be respected, Government has now said families "must have the opportunity to say a respectful goodbye to those that they love".

- To take pets to the vets

Vet surgeries remain open to the public, allowing pet owners to take their animals for emergency treatment; and

People are encouraged to sort medical needs for their pets over the phone where possible, such as renewing prescriptions.

- To buy non-essential goods such as luxury items and alcohol

There is no need for your shopping trip to be only for essential goods such as food – you are allowed to nip to the shopsto buy items such as alcohol and luxury items;

And you can make a quick trip to the shop to buy small amounts of a 'staple item', such as a newspaper, pet food, a loaf of bread or a pint of milk; and

People are also be able to go out to pick up surplus food from a friend or to collect food from a takeaway. - To travel to work if you cannot work from home

A person who is considered a key worker by the Government, including NHS staff, teachers and public transport workers, are allowed to travel to and from work;

But non-key workers are also allowed to travel to work if it is not reasonably possible to work from home; and

There is no requirement for people to have written proof of a need to go to work, and police guidelines say officers should not ask for ID or any other kind of document.