Police chiefs have issued new guidance about what counts as "essential shopping" and reasons to go to the supermarket.
The government announced this week the nationwide lockdown would be extended for at least another three weeks.
This means measures will be in place until at least May 7 across the UK.
One aspect of the lockdown that has caused confusion for some people is whether certain items count as 'essential goods' that justify leaving the house.
New guidance issued by the National Police Chief's Council and College of Policing [NPCC] and states that buying food to last 'several days', including luxury items and alcohol, is a valid reason.
Previously, shoppers were only permitted to visit shops to buy 'essentials', but now the rules have been relaxed a little, reports Mirror Online.
Shoppers are also permitted to collect basic food items from friends, and can purchase tools and supplies for necessary home repairs.
You will not be stopped from buying 'non essentials' such as alcohol while out shopping.
If you're out on your weekly shop, you won't stopped from browsing the "non-essential" aisles.
The document adds that people have a reason to visit shops as long as they're open so it's not appropriate to stop them purchasing items considered to be "non-essentials".
What you can do:
- Buy several days' worth of food, including luxury items and alcohol
- Buy a small amount of a staple item or necessity (for example, a newspaper, pet food, a loaf of bread or a pint of milk)
- Collect surplus basic food items from a friend
- Buy tools and supplies to repair a fence panel damaged in bad weather
What you can't do:
Police say it is not reasonable to pop out for DIY supplies so you can do up your kitchen, for example.
