People in Scotland have been told to stay at home in a bid to supress rising levels of coronavirus.
A new legally enforceable lockdown began at midnight on Tuesday, with people only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons.
Here’s a list of what the Scottish Government describes as “reasonable excuses” for heading outside:
- To go work, a job interview or if you’re providing voluntary or charitable services – but only where it can’t be done from home;
- For education, if you can’t learn from home;
- Outdoor exercise in your local area. If running, you can travel five miles outwith your council region;
- You can leave home to receive healthcare, including coronavirus testing and vaccinations, or for emergency help;
- Essential shopping, including for a vulnerable person, although the guidance asks you to use online shopping or stay local;
- For shared parenting, to access childcare or other parental support services;
- Visiting a bank is OK to withdraw or deposit money;
- Other essential services, such as drug or alcohol support or visiting a food bank;
- To access public services when its not possible to do so from home;
- Providing care for a vulnerable person;
- Meeting a person from your extended household;
- Legal obligations, such as a court appearance or to meet bail conditions, and to register births;
- Animal welfare, such as exercising, feeding or visiting a vet;
- Attending a funeral, wedding or civil partnership ceremony;
- It’s fine to leave home to donate blood;
- Activities related to moving home or carrying out maintenance on a property you own;
- To take part in professional sports, including training and competition;
- Escaping injury, illness or a risk of harm;
- Visiting a person in hospital, a hospice or a care home, or to take someone to a medical appointment;
- Registering to vote in an election – the Scottish Parliament election is due to take place in May;
- Visiting a person in prison or another place of detention.
