The 10 reasons you’re allowed to leave home in England’s third lockdown

As England enters its third lockdown, which will last until at least mid-February, the government has outlined the only 10 reasons you are allowed to leave home. Leaving your home for reasons other than these could result in the police taking action against you and issuing you with a fine.

Here are the 10 reasons in full.

1. To go to work if it’s not possible to work from home

This includes, but is not limited, to people who work within critical national infrastructure, construction and manufacturing.

2. To shop for basic necessities 

You can leave home during lockdown to shop for necessities (including food and medical supplies) for yourself and people in your household or on behalf of a disabled or vulnerable person or a person who is self-isolating.

3. To exercise

You can leave home to exercise once per day within your local area. You can do this alone, with other members of your household, or with one person from outside your household. 

4. To seek medical assistance or attend a medical appointment

You may leave home for a medical appointment or emergency, or for a medical reason such as to get a Covid-19 test.

5. To volunteer

You are allowed to leave home during lockdown to provide voluntary or charitable services.

6. To access education and childcare

You can leave home for education, registered childcare and supervised activities for children when they are allowed to attend. Existing arrangements for contact between parents and children who live apart can also continue.

7. To provide care to others

During the lockdown, you can leave home to:

• Meet or visit people in your support bubble or to provide informal child care for children aged under 14 as part of a childcare bubble
• Provide care for disabled and vulnerable people
• Provide emergency assistance
• Attend a support group
• Provide respite care to a vulnerable person or a person with a disability

8. For compassionate visits and to escape harm

You will be allowed to leave home to be with someone who is giving birth, to avoid injury or illness or to escape the risk of harm (such as domestic abuse).

You may also leave home to see someone who is dying or in a care home or hospital, or to accompany a person to a medical appointment.

9. For animal welfare reasons

The rules of the third lockdown also allow you to leave home to access veterinary services for advice or treatment.

10. For communal worship and life events

You will be free to visit places of worship, as well as to attend funerals and weddings.

However, you have to follow the guidance for the safe use of places of worship and observe the set capacity limits.

Staying on top of your money during lockdown

If you are wondering how you can stay on top of your finances during this third lockdown, here are some ideas that could come in handy.

Stock up your emergency fund

Having an emergency fund could make a world of difference if you were to find yourself with an unexpected expense. Check out our guide on creating an emergency fund.

Use the lockdown to save

Staying at home during this third lockdown presents a chance to spend less and save money. With savings rates historically low right now, a good way to potentially grow your lockdown savings is through a stocks and shares ISA, where all of your gains will be tax free.

Avoid taking on more debt

During these uncertain times, be extra careful to take on as little debt as possible. And if you are struggling to pay off your current debts during this lockdown, speak with your creditors to see whether they can reschedule your repayments or offer you some relief.

For credit card debts, check whether you can consolidate them using a 0% balance transfer credit card. This way, you can give yourself extra time to pay without incurring more interest charges.