Police in Cornwall have updated their list of frequently answered questions about the Covid-19 restrictions to include answers about surfing, second homes and support for rough sleepers.

Devon and Cornwall Police is providing regular updates and amendments as the lockdown period continues and further questions and issues arise.

This week it said: "With the current situation regarding Covid-19 (coronavirus), we are living in unprecedented and worrying times.

"With this in mind, we are doing all we can to keep our officers, staff and communities safe."

The question over whether surfing counts as daily exercise is one of the most hotly contested in Cornwall, due to its proximity to the sea and prime surfing spots.

However, Devon and Cornwall Police has now come out to officially state that it does not recommend people go surfing during the lockdown period.

This week it said: "You should not be driving to the beach to go surfing.

"The RNLI has stated that as there are no lifeguards on our region’s beaches it is not recommended that you exercise in the sea.

"Our emergency services are already stretched and should a lifeboat crew be called to an incident in the water, it would put unnecessary pressure on our volunteers and other front line services being exposed to Covid-19 (coronavirus).

"For these reasons, we do not recommend that people go surfing."

The same advice is given about swimming.

It also states that British Canoeing now strongly recommends that all paddle sports activity should stop immediately on rivers, waterways and coastal areas until further notice, and that the Angling Trust and Environment Agency had suspended all angling activity until further notice.

However, anyone without Covid-19 symptoms can leave their house to care for a horse or livestock, if taken as part of their once a day exercise.

With regards to driving somewhere to exercise, it confirmed that police would "use discretion," but said: "If you can exercise locally near your home, please do so.

"Driving extensive distances to visit beauty spots in order to exercise is not within the spirit of the legislation, or what we are all seeking to achieve."

And while there was no guidance on the length of time allowed for daily exercise, people should "not take advantage", with the NHS suggesting adults should aim to be physically active every day, doing at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week.

Among the other information added or updated this week is confirmation that visiting a second home was not considered to be a reasonable excuse for someone to leave their main address, but the force added: "The legislation does not provide the police with powers to knock on doors and evict people from second homes or holiday lets."

Open holiday let businesses can, however, be reported to Cornwall Council's enforcement team.

Read more: Cornwall residents urged to report holiday homes in use

And the force said that rough sleepers who had been housed but were not following the ‘stay indoors’ guidelines would be given advice in the same way as anyone else without a reasonable excuse to be out.

Anyone concerned for someone rough sleeping can contact Cornwall Council.

For more information about how the force is responding to the pandemic visit devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/covid-19-coronavirus where there is a whole page on frequently asked questions about the new police powers.