Interestingly the new regulations provide the following exceptions to the rule of stay at home:
Exception 4: medical need etc (6) Exception 4 is that it is reasonably necessary for P to leave or be outside P’s home— (a) to seek medical assistance, including to take any medical tests, be vaccinated or access any of the services referred to in paragraph 47 of the Schedule; (b) to donate blood or attend medical trials; (c) to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; (d) to attend a person giving birth (“M”) at M’s request; (e) to visit a person (“V”) receiving treatment in a hospital or staying in a hospice or care home, or to accompany V to a medical appointment and P is— (i) a member of V’s household, (ii) a close family member of V, or (iii) a friend of V. Exception 5: Support and respite (7) Exception 5 is that it is reasonably necessary for P to leave or be outside P’s home— (a) to attend a meeting of a support group which is permitted to meet under regulation 11(6); (b) for the following purposes— (i) respite care being provided for a vulnerable person or a person with a disability, or (ii) a short break being provided in respect of a looked after child (within the meaning of section 22 of the Children Act 1989(b)).
In simpler terms, it will be lawful to leave home to visit a care home resident who is family or friend. If that is the law, let us hope that the guidance to card homes, still awaited, says that when the visitor arrives they need not be sent packing!
Exception 4: medical need etc (6) Exception 4 is that it is reasonably necessary for P to leave or be outside P’s home— (a) to seek medical assistance, including to take any medical tests, be vaccinated or access any of the services referred to in paragraph 47 of the Schedule; (b) to donate blood or attend medical trials; (c) to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; (d) to attend a person giving birth (“M”) at M’s request; (e) to visit a person (“V”) receiving treatment in a hospital or staying in a hospice or care home, or to accompany V to a medical appointment and P is— (i) a member of V’s household, (ii) a close family member of V, or (iii) a friend of V. Exception 5: Support and respite (7) Exception 5 is that it is reasonably necessary for P to leave or be outside P’s home— (a) to attend a meeting of a support group which is permitted to meet under regulation 11(6); (b) for the following purposes— (i) respite care being provided for a vulnerable person or a person with a disability, or (ii) a short break being provided in respect of a looked after child (within the meaning of section 22 of the Children Act 1989(b)).
In simpler terms, it will be lawful to leave home to visit a care home resident who is family or friend. If that is the law, let us hope that the guidance to card homes, still awaited, says that when the visitor arrives they need not be sent packing!
