Corona legislation - regards immediate help from other households

For people who need help or wish to help others during corona times at the moment, you are legally allowed to help/get help from other households if you are at risk from things like a physical or mental health perspective.

If someone in your life is struggling alone or struggling otherwise, this can be very useful (could really help/save them).

From what I gather [I'm no lawyer though]:


In England, pretty much anyone can visit another household (or have someone from another household visit them) for care if they are at risk of harm. (This is regardless of tier number)

"Exception 4 is that the gathering is reasonably necessary— ... (b) to provide emergency assistance; (c) to enable one or more persons in the gathering to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm;"

This 'exception 4' of the Tiers legislation can be found here:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/.../pdfs/uksi_20201374_en.pdf 

[If PDF doesn't open, try the link here (PDF available under 'More Resources'): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374/contents/made ]


In Scotland, exceptions include:

"(iv) providing care or assistance to a vulnerable person, (v) providing emergency or medical assistance, (vi) avoiding injury, illness or escaping a risk of harm,"

This also applies across all 'levels' - legislation can be found here:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/.../pdfs/ssi_20200344_en.pdf

[If PDF doesn't open, try the link here (PDF available under 'More Resources'): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/344/contents/made ]


If I find more energy, I'll try and get the Wales and Northern Ireland versions on here. If anyone wants to help with that, feel free to put in the comments and I'll transfer the info up to here :)

Parents Reply Children
  • I've been self-harming this year and I didn't know I was legally fine to get help from another household.

    Sadly, my one other household member this year doesn't know how to respond to serious depression, anxiety.

    But now ... I know that yes, I can seek help from friends if, in future, I have a really bad period of mental health again.