Quick question to someone who received the letter to stay in for 12 weeks

[twinkledag]

Can I just check something?

If you are one of the 1.5 million people who received a letter to stay in for 12 weeks, does that mean not leaving the house AT ALL?

Asking for a family member who has received the letter and has done the following:

Gone out for a walk 'when it's quiet'
Went to post a letter
Quickly popped into Tesco to top their phone up

They shouldn't be doing these things, right?

[BigFatLiar]

You should not leave your home, not go out for shopping/leisure/travel. Shopping or medication should be delivered.

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

Not at all. My MIL:s had one, and we've had to organise for her (wonderful) neighbours to sort food, prescriptions etc, as sadly we all live too far away and obviously can't stay with her overnight now . FIL is officially in isolation with her, though I suspect he might have gone for some early morning walks.

[mrsbyers]

You don’t leave the house , the guidance says that if you have a private space you can spend some time outside but need to be two metres from any neighbours

[Babyroobs]

My dh has had one of these letters. I have told him he should not be going out at all. He insists on still walking the dogs around the block at 10pm at night as he says he never sees another person. I still don't think he should be going out at all and have told him so. He has not been anywhere else in a few weeks, we started to socially isolate and took the kids out of school even before they closed as we were so concerned.

[Ledkr]

My son had one and can't go out at all. I feel for him as he is in a flat with no garden.

[twinkledag]

Thank you everyone.

Are they allowed to take the car out for a drive and post a letter?

I'm trying to drum into them what they are and aren't allowed to do but it's difficult.

[whitedogpoo]

No to leaving the house at all. I wouldn’t go in the garden if neighbours are out. Coughs spread way more than 6ft.

[Tolleshunt]

It’s simple. They can’t go out the front door. At all. For any reason.

DH has one. It’s a nightmare, but far less of a nightmare than him dying.

[twinkledag]

Thanks all, will keep trying to drum it into them!

[Windyatthebeach]

Cars parking up near me are being questioned by the police. Then sent on their way - as in do not drive here for your exercise!!
Would your relative be mortified??

[quirrels]

Also if the rest of the household are going out and about you should not even mix with them and should stay in your room.
DH is isolating with me. So we have been out in the garden but that's it for the last 3 weeks.

[tobee]

Also other members of the household should be socially distancing; staying 2 metres apart, limiting time spent with the shielded person (whatever that means) and eating separately. The other household members are allowed to go out though.

[WeArnottamused]

They are allowed to have a window open though!

My DC got one, they have to practice distancing indoors too, separate bathrooms, staying in your room, eating in your room, using the kitchen at different time, making sure everything is cleaned etc.

So no, no popping to the shop to post a letter etc

[twinkledag]

This person lives on their own.

[Didkdt]

It's not a legal requirement BUT it is explained that for your protection you need to stay at home.
I find it hard at home with family and 2 gardens.
For someone living alone it might be soul shattering. It is hard and the letter does say if you have limited life expectancy it might be worth considering whether you will benefit from these measures.

[aLilNonnyMouse]

This is directly quoted from my letter

"You are receiving this letter as you have been identified as someone who is at risk of severe illness is you catch Coronavirus. This is based on information that is held on your GP records. You may have already received this letter directly from the government and we are sorry if this causes you concern however we felt that it was important to make sure that you had the information you need to stay safe.

The safest course of action is for you to stay home at all times and avoid face-to-face contact for at least twelve weeks from today, except from carers and healthcare workers who you must see as part of your medical care. This will protect you by stopping you from coming into contact with the virus"

You or the person you care for, should:

• Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of Coronavirus. These symptoms include high temperature (above 37.8 C) and/or a new and continuous cough.
• Not leave your home
• Not attend any gatherings. This includes gatherings of friends and families in private spaces, e.g family homes, weddings and religious services.
• Not go out for shopping, leisure, or travel. When arranging food or medication deliveries, these should be left at the door to minimise contact
• Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
• Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services
• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Ask carers or support workers who visit your home to do the same

The rest of your household should support you to stay safe and stringently follow guidance on social distancing, reducing their contact outside the home. In your home, you should:

• Minimise the time you spend with others in shared spaces (kitchen, bathroom, and sitting areas) and keep shared spaces well ventilated
• Aim to keep 2 meters (3 steps) away from others and encourage them to sleep in a different bed were possible
• Use separate towels, and if possible, use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household, or clean the bathroom after every use
• Avoid using the kitchen when others are present, take your meals back to your room to eat where possible, and ensure all kitchenware is cleaned thoroughly. "

There are 3 more pages breaking down the rules in more specifics, but these are the main ones. There should be no leaving the home at all for any reason except if advised by 111 to attend hospital. I'm living alone and it's rough being this isolated, but it's for my own safety and I'd rather come out the other side of this alive. I've no idea how someone could read that letter and think going for a drive around or popping to the shops is ok.

[twinkledag]

Thank you all.