Travel Restrictions Now Lockdown Eased. ?

[ibizaboy]

after last nights covid update ( thurs) i would like to travel 17 miles ( by train) to visit my 80 year old mum. i dont drive so train is only option. my question is...am i now allowed to go.? despite travel restrictions.

[fiction-factory]

which country do you live in and which does Mum live in?

[Buenchico]

As F-F indicates, there are different rules in each of the UK's four nations.

However, as far as England is concerned, last night's announcements don't seem to have changed your situation very much anyway. You were already allowed to meet just one person from another household. (The new rules, announced last night, will mean that up to 6 people can now meet up from Monday onwards). However you must meet them outdoors. (At the moment you can only meet in public places. From Monday you can meet them in a private garden). You must also stay 2 metres apart.

With regard to travel, you're permitted to travel "to spend time outdoors" (which, could, of course, include meeting up outdoors with another person, as long as you maintain social distancing). However you're urged to avoid public transport for all but essential journeys. (i.e. there's no law that says you can't take a train to visit your mum but such travel is frowned upon).

The advice (which isn't law) relating to anyone over 70 hasn't changed though, and that's that they should remain in their own homes and avoid all contact with others.

[Buenchico]

PS: Official guidance on using public transport can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers#public-transport
(Note that you're asked to wear a face covering but it's not a legal requirement to do so)

[Gromit]

So to summarise:
Don’t go by train, but you can do.
Your mother should not go out. But you can meet her in a public place or next week in her garden (if she has one)*.

* Exempts are in place if either of you are a Government Advisor.

[ibizaboy]

thankyou for your responses. it would be in the uk....norwich to diss. but as you say, apparently you still cannot travel unless its urgent or you,re a key worker.
another question i wait to be answered shortly will be...........my partners parents live in torquay. we can get there by train for, technically a weeks holiday by the sea as we will be staying at theirs, i wonder if this will be allowed by end of july!!

[New Judge]

//You must also stay 2 metres apart. //

And there is just one example of why people are becoming increasingly confused, Chris.

On May 13th, when the lockdown rules were slightly eased, the government published "New guidance on spending time outdoors". It provided:

"Details on a range of outdoor activities which will be allowed in England from 13 May 2020 subject to social distancing rules."

The problem is, there are no "social distancing rules" and it is completely wrong for the government to say that the activities allowed are subject to them. At present you can meet up with one other person from another household in an outside public place. When you meet them, you can shake them by the hand, give them a hug, give them a kiss, let them sit on your lap (provided they agree). There is absolutely nothing in the legislation preventing you from doing so. To compound the confusion, further down in the same document, just two lines apart, are these statements:

- "People will also be able to see one person from another household, as long as they follow social distance guidance."

- "All of the new regulations are subject to social distancing rules"

Then further down:

-"They will also be able to spend time with one member of another household, one-on-one, as long as they adhere to strict social distancing guidelines at all times, staying 2 metres apart."

Then a bit further:

- "Today’s advice is strictly limited to spending time with your household or with one other person and is subject to social distancing rules."

So, are they rules, guidance or guidelines? Well they're certainly not rules. Rules can be enforced and social distancing (among those consenting) cannot. What with these anomalies and the ridiculous nonsense brought about by the devolved administrations, it is little wonder people are confused.

[New Judge]

//….but as you say, apparently you still cannot travel unless its urgent or you,re a key worker.//

No no no no no! You are asked not to travel by public transport if you can use another method. But that is just a request, not an instruction, and it applies to anybody at any time. There is no stipulation that it must be urgent or that you must be a "key worker".

[Ellipsis]

> So, are they rules, guidance or guidelines?

Rules for us, guidelines for them ...

[douglas9401]

I'd go and meet mum but be prepared for the odd overbearing railway bod and some boggle-eyed loons in masks, gloves and maybe even aprons willing to give you their thoughts on how you should live your life.

Enjoy your visit.

[mushroom25]

// No no no no no! You are asked not to travel by public transport if you can use another method. But that is just a request, not an instruction, //

not in East Anglia, it seems.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-52836702

round here they're a bit precious about the trains - while they won't stop you getting on, you're warned that if a nurse wants to get on at the next stop, you are liable to be turned off the train.

[THECORBYLOON]

NJ, are there enforceable "Rules"? There are some actions in the guidance enforced by Regulations or the Act but "Rules"?

[DTCwordfan]

My mother, in a home, has apparently eaten half of Newlyn fish market for lunch - how she got there from Falmouth remains a mystery....

[fiction-factory]

Okay- yes you can hug whoever you want, NJ. I don't care if they are guidelines or rules- I'll follow them. They are there for a reason. Some people are trying to be too clever or nitpicking for their own good in my opinion

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Daughter had to go to hospital for an emergency blood test this week and only way to get there was by train. There were only three people at the station but the police were there asking them why they were travelling. Luckily she had a letter from the hospital so was let on the train. The other two did not get on.