COVID Restrictions 'do not restrict distance travelled for exercise'

[peterblue]

An interesting test case has arisen. A few weeks ago two women in Ashby De La Zouch near the Leicestershire/Derbyshire border have been fined for travelling 5 miles to a nearby reservoir for a scenic walk. As reported by the BBC, this fine is 'invalid' and it has been withdrawn. Derbyshire police also issued an apology after the incident.

Covid: Women fined for going for a walk receive police apology

Derbyshire Police apologises to two women fined £200 for driving five miles for a countryside walk.

www.bbc.co.uk

Two women who were fined £200 each when they drove five miles for a walk have had the penalties withdrawn.
Jessica Allen and Eliza Moore were walking at Foremark Reservoir, Derbyshire, when they were "surrounded" by officers.
At the time Derbyshire Police insisted driving to exercise was "not in the spirit" of the most recent lockdown.
But new national guidance for police has led the force to quash the fines, and apologise to the women.

'Apology'​

Chief Constable Rachel Swann said the fines "have been withdrawn and we have notified the women directly, apologising for any concern caused".
The two friends travelled the short distance to the reservoir from their homes in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, on Wednesday afternoon.
They said their cars were "surrounded" by police. They were then questioned on why they were there and told the hot drinks they had brought along were not allowed as they were "classed as a picnic".

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In a statement, the women said: "This afternoon we both received a phone call from Derbyshire Police.
"After reviewing our case, our fines have been rescinded and we have received an apology on behalf of the constabulary for the treatment we received.
"We welcomed this apology and we are pleased to draw a line under this event."
After the incident gained media attention, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) "clarified the policing response concerning travel and exercise".
The guidance said: "The Covid regulations which officers enforce and which enables them to issue FPNs [fixed penalty notices] for breaches, do not restrict the distance travelled for exercise."

The interesting part of this article is at the bottom. The Government have admitted there is 'no restriction' in the distance travelled for exercise. That's just as well then, because otherwise our esteemed leader Boris Johnson would have also been fined by that logic for (amongst other things) going to a park in Stratford instead of one in Central London.

Not encouraging anything, of course. But according to this test case it would appear to be permitted to travel from e.g. Manchester to the peak district for walking or cycling purposes.

The Covid regulations which officers enforce and which enables them to issue FPNs [fixed penalty notices] for breaches, do not restrict the distance travelled for exercise."

 

[matt]

Already covered in this thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/police-checking-travel.212741/