Breaking!

Government changes Coronavirus guidance to permit people with specific health needs to exercise outside more than once a day and to travel to do so where necessary

Well done @BindmansLLP on their legal challenge https://www.bindmans.com/news/government-guidance-changed-to-permit-people-with-specific-health-needs-to-exercise-outside-more-than-once-a-day-and-to-travel-to-do-so-where-necessary

Background to this legal challenge at the @law_and_policy blog

Wonderful example of the threat to use judicial review to force government to change policy guidance https://twitter.com/davidallengreen/status/1246012314974855168

Regardless of the public health emergency, the Equality Act and Human Rights Act still are in force

Heartening news for rule of law as well as for families and carers

Revised guidance 1 of 2:

"You can leave your home for medical need.

If you (or a person in your care) have a specific health condition that requires you to leave the home to maintain your health - including if that involves travel beyond your local area - then you can do so."

Revised guidance 2 of 2

"This could, for example, include where individuals with learning disabilities or autism require specific exercise in an open space two or three times each day - ideally in line with a care plan agreed with a medical professional."

Fwiw, when one sees the Equality Act basis for the challenge to the previous blanket policy guidance, it was difficult to see how the government could have avoided spelling out an exception in respect of health and disability

A precise legal challenge ensuring the right result