Reasonable excuses to go out as ‘stay at home’ order returns

New lockdown rules prevent people from leaving their homes unless they have a 'reasonable excuse'.

Reasonable excuses to go out as ‘stay at home’ order returns

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.
STV News is now on WhatsApp

Get all the latest news from around the country

Follow STV News
Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

WhatsApp channel QR Code