Going out for unlimited exercise, which was perfectly legal already in England under the letter of the coronavirus regulations, will continue to be legal

The restriction on travelling for the purpose of work under the regulations (r 6(2)(f) at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/regulation/6/made ) may now need slight amendment - though the announced relaxation could arguably be compatible with the current wording

The legal thing is that Coronavirus regulations were already vague in what would be a "reasonable excuse" - and so both the position before today's announcement and after it are both possible under the law as it stands

From legal perspective, announcement not that significant

The increased fines are a red herring - increased clarity and tighter drafting are the solution - not adding to the fine amounts

But to emphasise the basic point

It was *never* unlawful for a person in England to go out for unlimited exercise in the first place, if that was your genuine purpose

And so this one announced relaxation is legally illusory - just a change in guidance really

So higher and higher fines to be imposed for less and less - until we get to infinite fines for nothing at all

Good luck Plod in trying to enforce Regulation 6 now - but at least you will get your overtime back soon!