Can you travel during the lockdown? Latest travel rules for Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant, Southampton, Winchester, Basingstoke and Deane, Eastleigh, Fareham, Rushmoor, Test Valley, Hart, New Forest, East Hampshire and Isle of Wight
The third national lockdown has now begun.
The Prime Minister announced the strict new measures in a televised address to the nation on Monday night.
It means that all non-essential shops are shut as well as primary and secondary schools and colleges.
You might be wondering what the travel rules are for during the lockdown.
Here’s all you need to know:
Can you travel during lockdown?
On the government’s website it says that under the new rules you ‘must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse’.
If you need to travel you should stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live – and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall.
What are the reasonable excuses to travel?
The list of reasons you can leave your home and area include, but are not limited to:
- work, where you cannot reasonably work from home
- accessing education and for caring responsibilities
- visiting those in your support bubble – or your childcare bubble for childcare
- visiting hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
- buying goods or services that you need, but this should be within your local area wherever possible
- outdoor exercise. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your area to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)
- attending the care and exercise of an animal, or veterinary services
If you need to travel, walk or cycle where possible, and plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. This will allow you to practice social distancing while you travel.
Avoid car sharing with anyone from outside your household or your support bubble.
What about international travel?
You can only travel internationally – or within the UK – where you first have a legally permitted reason to leave home. In addition, you should consider the public health advice in the country you are visiting.