The government has revised the rules around exercise for people who are in certain types of self-isolation, including an allowance for dog walking.

From yesterday (Thursday), where someone who has been told to self-isolate because they are a high-risk contact tests negative for Covid-19, they and other members of their household will be able to leave their accommodation for up to one hour of exercise each day, so long as no one else in the household has tested positive.

It said that the review reflects the challenges some people could face where the virus spreads among members of a household, resulting in the self-isolation period resetting with each new case, and therefore lasting for a considerable period of time.

The government clarified further: ’When exercising outside, a face covering must be used and social distancing must be observed from other people they may encounter.

’Members of the same household are able to exercise together but must not mix with other households.

’In the limited circumstances where someone travelling to the island is permitted to isolate with a household, where their first and second tests for Covid-19 are negative, they are permitted to leave their accommodation for up to one hour of exercise each day, so long as no-one else in the household has tested positive for Covid-19.’

From Thursday, this now includes other members of the household.

As well as providing affected households with the opportunity for exercise outside, the change in the rules means that households in self-isolation who have a dog will have the ability to exercise them.

However, should anyone else in the household go on to develop symptoms of Covid-19 or test positive, then the whole household would have to self-isolate and not be able to leave their accommodation for exercise, including walking their dog.

Under the current rules stated on the government website, people in self-isolation are not allowed to leave the house for any reason, and must organise for someone else to walk their dogs for them.

Those who are not in self-isolation are permitted to leave the house to walk somebody else’s dog, as this activity falls under the category of providing care or help to a vulnerable person.

The government is advising people that they must maintain social distancing when collecting and dropping off dogs and avoid close contact with the owner.

They are also being urged to wipe the lead and collar with a sanatising wipe on collection and return, in addition to washing their hands.

The government described this new guidance as seeking to ’balance the animal welfare needs of dogs while reducing as far as possible the risks of further spread of Covid-19’.