No disrespect to you but that doesn't seem correct: the law clearly says that "upkeep, maintenance and functioning of the household" is permitted. Window-cleaning businesses have not been closed so people who are not physically able to clean their own windows are not yet legally compelled to see the mostly-off-limits world through a layer of filth.
I share your frustration on this misunderstanding by a good number of people.
To be fair the media has had a hand in misreporting, with subtle wordplay that is either intentional or not (who can tell?), the restrictions.
The basic legislation for 'white van man' and others is contained in the relevant Statute at 6 (2) (f) here;
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/made
Restrictions on movement
6.—(1)
During the emergency period, no person may leave the place where they are living without reasonable excuse.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a reasonable excuse includes the need—
(a)to obtain basic necessities, including food and medical supplies for those in the same household (including any pets or animals in the household) or for vulnerable persons and supplies for the essential upkeep, maintenance and functioning of the household, or the household of a vulnerable person, or to obtain money, including from any business listed in Part 3 of Schedule 2;
(b)to take exercise either alone or with other members of their household;
(c)to seek medical assistance, including to access any of the services referred to in paragraph 37 or 38 of Schedule 2;
(d)to provide care or assistance, including relevant personal care within the meaning of paragraph 7(3B) of Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups Act 2006(
3), to a vulnerable person, or to provide emergency assistance;
(e)to donate blood;
(f)to travel for the purposes of work or to provide voluntary or charitable services, where it is not reasonably possible for that person to work, or to provide those services, from the place where they are living;
etc (other points not quoted as they go on too long.
***
Furthermore:
Boris's letter to the populace also includes this line:
You can travel to and from work but should work from home if you can.
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And Gov.UK advice published 29.03.20 contains this advice:
1. When am I allowed to leave the house?
You should only leave the house for very limited purposes:
- shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
- one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household
- any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home
***
Additionally, this advice comes with the explicit caveats that the 2m separation rule must be adhered to at all times and the person going to work, and any other persons at the place of work, must not have CV or display any CV symptoms that
may be CV.
