Tier 4 restrictions: Outdoor recreation (20th December 2020)

From Sunday 20 December new Tier 4 rules will be in force for London and the south-east. You must not leave or be outside of your home except for where you have a specific purpose, or a 'reasonable excuse'. Recreational shooting is not a reasonable excuse to enter or leave a Tier 4 area.

The Prime Minister said in the press conference on Saturday 19th December that 'Tier 4 restrictions will be the same as the National Lockdown in November'.

• Driven game shooting is not permitted in Tier 4 areas - The regulations will prevent gatherings of more than two people so it will not be possible to undertake driven game and other types of group shooting in Tier 4 areas. Recreational shooting is not a reasonable excuse to enter or leave a Tier 4 area.
• Outdoor recreational shooting remains permissible in Tier 4 areas subject to two conditions.

- You should only travel locally to shoot.
- When shooting you should only meet with people you live with, your support bubble, or with one other person.

• Essential bird and mammalian pest control to protect crops, livestock, or for conservation may continue in Tier 4. Pest bird shooting must comply with relevant general or individual licences as applicable. Pest control services requested by a landowner or agent can be construed either as work (whether paid or unpaid) or voluntary service. The regulations do not impose any limits on how far you can travel.