POLICE have praised Andover residents for adhering to social distancing guidance – but also issued a reminder to avoid travelling for exercise.

Officers have been on patrol in the town today (Tuesday). They they found no social gatherings that needed to be dispersed, per recent government guidance preventing more than two people being in any public place at a time.

However, they note they did encounter “a number of cars in car parks with people driving to do their exercise for the day” – which they note is not allowed.

They say people should only be travelling for essential reasons, including shopping and key work, but that driving somewhere to do exercise counts as “non-essential” travel.

A message on the Test Valley Cops Facebook page read: “We have been patrolling in Andover today and are pleased to report that there have been no social gatherings to disperse, which is great progress and shows that engage, explain and encourage is working as our approach to policing government restrictions.

“There have still been a number of cars in car parks with people driving to do their exercise for the day but this is non-essential travel and the government advises that all exercise should be done in the vicinity of home to reduce non-essential travel on the roads.”

Officers also shared a link to the government’s FAQ page for further advice regarding the situation.

Search ‘coronavirus outbreak FAQs’ on gov.uk to find out more.