Exercise rules for lockdown: latest advice on outdoor exercise in the UK as government eases restrictions

The new set of rules, which start today (13 May), include the re-opening of garden centres, the right to exercise as much as you like outdoors and changes in rules around working.

Alongside the relaxing of some rules, the Government is also increasing the fines on those who breach its new guidelines. People could face charges as high as £3,200 if they break the lockdown.

The rules do not apply to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have the power to determine their own set of rules.

The other three nations have opted to ease fewer restrictions than the PM has across England.

With each of the four nations of the UK taking slightly differing approaches to lockdown, there has been a lot of confusion as to what new rules apply where, and what they mean.

How many times can I exercise outdoors?

Previously, lockdown measures meant that people were only permitted to one bout of outdoor exercise a day.

They were advised to keep each activity to no longer than an hour, and stay as close to their homes as possible when undertaking it.

With slightly more relaxed measures, the guidance has changed; the ban on leaving home more than once a day to exercise is being scrapped from Wednesday (13 May).

“People may exercise outside as many times each day as they wish,” say the official Government guidelines. “For example, this would include angling and tennis.

“You will still not be able to use areas like playgrounds, outdoor gyms or ticketed outdoor leisure venues, where there is a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces.”

How long can I exercise for?

Before the new lockdown rules were brought in, exercise was permitted in sessions of up to one hour in length per day.

As temperatures warm up, people are being allowed outdoors for unlimited amounts of time - as long as they continue to abide by social distancing restrictions.

Police will no longer reprimand people who sunbathe and play sports with other members of their household.

How far can I travel?

Previously, it was advised that any outdoor exercise took place as close to your home as possible, but that too has changed.

Discussing changes to the exercise rules, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC Breakfast: "You can drive as far as you want to drive to go and walk in a park or a particular area that you're fond of as long as you maintain the social distancing.

"But obviously, if you're going from one part of the UK to another, so if you're going from England to Wales or from Scotland to Wales and different rules are in place because the devolved administrations take a different approach you need to be very mindful of the regulations that they've got in place."

The official Government guidance says: “People may drive to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance, so long as they respect social distancing guidance while they are there, because this does not involve contact with people outside your household.

“When travelling to outdoor spaces, it is important that people respect the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and do not travel to different parts of the UK where it would be inconsistent with guidance or regulations issued by the relevant devolved administration.”

Can I exercise with others?

Most exercise taken up to this point in lockdown has been through the medium of mostly solo activities like running and cycling.

But people will be wondering whether, with new rules in places, team sports will be back on the menu.

Dominic Raab has given an example, and suggested people will not be allowed to play football under the relaxed lockdown rules.

He told BBC Breakfast: "No I don't think so because you can't stay two metres apart.

"We do want people to play more sport and let me give you one example of something you can do.

"Two people from the same home could go and play tennis, because that's something where they could stay two metres apart from everyone else.

"What you couldn't then do, and this is why we say you've got to stay alert, you couldn't then go into the clubhouse and mill around where you will be within two metres of other people.

"So, football would be one of those where I think would be very difficult to stay two metres apart if you're playing, you know, 11-a-side or even five-a-side."

The official Government guidance says: “You can only exercise with up to one person from outside your household – this means you should not play team sports, except with members of your own household.”