Can I drive somewhere else to exercise or walk my dog? Lockdown rules in UK explained

Across the UK, different approaches to lockdown are being adopted - so knowing exactly what you can and cannot do as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread can be confusing.

Under government guidance, people are allowed to leave their homes for exercise - but does this include driving to a beauty spot or park to run or walk your dog?

Here’s what you should know.

Can I drive to take my dog on a walk?

The current rules being enforced by the lockdown states that there are only four reasons you should be leaving your home:

- Daily exercise (which includes walking your dog)- Shopping for essentials- Travelling to and from work- To fulfil medical needs

In regards to outdoor exercise, the Scottish government has stated that members of public can go outside to exercise as often as they wish, instead of the once a day rule that was being enforced previously.

When exercising outdoors however, social distancing measures are still in place, so you should stay two meters away from other members of the public, maintain hand and cough hygiene and avoid touching hard surfaces such as walls, fences and park benches.

Attempting to exercise in crowded areas where these physical distancing measures would be hard to maintain is advised against.

In terms of being able to travel to exercise, the Scottish government states: “Unnecessary travel should be avoided, so exercise should be done in your local area.

“You should not drive to beauty spots, parks or benches.”

However, in England it is a different story, as Boris Johnson unveiled plans to reign in lockdown restrictions.

The "conditional plan" revealed that people in England would be allowed to spend more time outdoors from Wednesday 13 May, also allowing people to drive to beauty spots like beaches and parks - as long as social distancing measures are followed.

Are parks closed?

In a statement from the government, it said: “Parks will remain open only for individuals and households to exercise once a day.

“Communal spaces within parks such as playgrounds and football pitches will be closed.”

The National Trust also previously announced that they would be closing all of their gardens and parks as well due to the spread of coronavirus.

Their statement said: “We have now closed all of our gated gardens and parks as well as our houses, cafes and shops to help restrict the spread of the coronavirus, and by the end of Tuesday 24 March, we will close all our car parks.

“We believe it is important that people do not travel, and instead stay at home and observe social distancing measures.”

What is essential travel?

You should be aware of what the government defines as “essential travel”.

After releasing the guidelines on social distancing, the government also said that people should avoid travelling unless it’s essential.

The statement reads: “Essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays.