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Covid

So can we drive to mountain walk now?

99 replies

Hugglespuffed · 16/04/2020 18:36

I thought I'd heard earlier on today on tv (could be bbc news or this morning as those are what I have watched today) that we are now allowed to drive to exercise of the exercise will take longer than the drive
.. so can I get my walking boots and go for a walk up my nearest mountains? I expected to hear it on the briefing but heard nothing. Don't want to do anything 'wrong' and wont of course. But if we are allowed then I would love to. Living in a city, it is hard to find walks that aren't too busy (people are being great about keeping apart but sometimes it is more effort than it is worth!) And can feel the pound already piling on and need better exercise! Thanks :)

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pictish · 16/04/2020 18:37

Watching with keen interest.

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Sparklingbrook · 16/04/2020 18:39

The Daily Mail have produced this handy guide which TBH is clear as mud.

So can we drive to mountain walk now?
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SpillTheTeaa · 16/04/2020 18:40

I don't think so?

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WanderingLost167 · 16/04/2020 18:41

You can drive to exercise

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alittlecloudfloatinginthesky · 16/04/2020 18:42

The mountain rescue groups across the country are asking people not to.

I feel the same as you, desperate to get out of the city and into the hills and mountains, but even a small slip could mean needing to call for help, and it's just not fair to ask that of the Mountain Rescue volunteers at the moment.

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Sparklingbrook · 16/04/2020 18:43

I am not realyl up to speed this evening other than the lockdown is extended by 3 weeks. Does this mean they have tweaked the rules?

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Toomanyapplesinthefruitbowl · 16/04/2020 18:43

Only if you have learning difficulties / autism that makes it necessary for you to drive to your exercise

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LolaSmiles · 16/04/2020 18:44

The guidance for police suggest it's fine to drive a reasonable distance to exercise as long as the time spent exercising is substantially longer than the drive.

However the BMC are, last I heard, advising against it (even on trails and paths and climbs easier than the hiker/climber's competency).

Personally I'm staying away. I'm bored of my local area but for me I'm happier keeping it local. The last thing local moor and mountain areas need are people driving from anywhere commutable.

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MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 16/04/2020 18:44

That Daily Mail guide has just made me laugh!!

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NoSquirrels · 16/04/2020 18:45

The mountain rescue groups across the country are asking people not to.

This ^

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Hugglespuffed · 16/04/2020 18:46

Thanks for all the input. Reading all.
I knew about the changes the other day regarding people with learning difficulties/ autism but what I heard today I'm sure was something new so was really listening out this eve but they didn't address it.

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Sparklingbrook · 16/04/2020 18:46

It's great isn't it @MrJollyLivesNextDoor, very informative. Grin Confused

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CoronaIsComing · 16/04/2020 18:46

As long as you don’t expect Mountain Rescue to risk their health to come and get you if you have an accident. After all, they are volunteers.

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PatriciaHolm · 16/04/2020 18:49

The CPS have issued new guidance today. From the Guardian -

The Crown Prosecution Service has produced guidance about what constitutes a reasonable excuse to be outside the home during the lockdown.
It follows confusion caused in part by a difference between government statements and emergency laws. The guidance has been reproduced and published by the College of Policing, and the National Police Chiefs Council.
According to the document, meant to inform police officers enforcing the lockdown, the following are examples of reasonable excuses to be outside the home:
Buying several days’ worth of food, including luxury items and alcohol.
Collecting surplus basic food items from a friend.
Going for a run or cycle or practicing yoga.
Walking in the countryside or in cities.
Attending an allotment.
Driving to countryside and walking (where far more time is spent walking than driving).
Stopping to rest or to eat lunch while on a long walk.
Buying tools and supplies to repair a fence panel damaged in recent bad weather.
Taking an animal for treatment.
Moving to a friend’s address for several days to allow a ‘cooling-off’ following arguments at home.
An explanatory note says:

The Regulations allow people to move house. This means that individuals can move between households. But this should be a genuine move (ie. measured in days, not hours).
Examples of excuses that are not reasonable include:
Buying paint and brushes, simply to redecorate a kitchen.
Driving for a prolonged period with only brief exercise.
A short walk to a park bench, when the person remains seated for a much longer period.
A person who can work from home choosing to work in a local park.
A person knocking on doors offering to do cash in-hand work.
Visiting a vet’s surgery in person to renew a prescription (where this could be done over the phone).
Visiting a friend in their address or meeting in public to socialise

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Sparklingbrook · 16/04/2020 18:53

A person who can work from home choosing to work in a local park

Have people really been doing this.

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pigsDOfly · 16/04/2020 19:01

Is that Daily Mail guide real.

I have so many questions:

I'm going to the supermarket tomorrow to buy 'several days' worth of food' but I don't want to include alcohol in my shop, what do I do?

Is it okay if I buy brushes and paint to decorate as long as it's not for the kitchen?

And can someone please explain to the person that wrote the guide that 'sat' is used incorrectly in the context of the 3rd items on the list of don'ts.

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Thighdentitycrisis · 16/04/2020 19:11

Where is the thread that linked to the guideline gone?

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GabsAlot · 16/04/2020 19:16

I wish theyd just be clearer-no i wouldnt say you can go to a mountain but can walk in the countryside

alot of car parks parking bays have been shut off so driving somewhere prob isnt a good idea

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FlibbertyGiblets · 16/04/2020 19:18

You can but the volunteer rescue services ask that you don't, please.

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squishedgrapes · 16/04/2020 19:20

So it's ok to do yoga in the park?
And to stop for lunch during a walk, so a picnic?
That doesn't seem right
My ds is autistic, with learning disabilities and hypotonia, tires easily He would need to sit down for quite a while or be in pain. He can only manage a walk of 10 minutes at a very slow pace before needing to rest, which means all of us need to sit down with him, me next to him as his Carer. Yesterday someone shouted at us in the park when we were sitting down.

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fruitpastille · 16/04/2020 19:21

I'm not about to start climbing mountains but it's nice to know I can drive a couple of miles from my house to walk the dog/ children somewhere with a bit more variety. And even take a drink and a biscuit with us.

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Wewearpinkonwednesdays · 16/04/2020 19:22

www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/COVID-19/Documents/What-constitutes-a-reasonable-excuse.pdf

I don't know how to link but someone put this on another thread today. Very informative, especially if you are in England.

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FlibbertyGiblets · 16/04/2020 19:23

People are horrible, squishy, I'm so sorry. You carry on with your walks and stops. The arseholes can have an apoplexy for all I care, fuck 'em.

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Sparklingbrook · 16/04/2020 19:23

So it's ok to do yoga in the park?
And to stop for lunch during a walk, so a picnic?
That doesn't seem right

I agree. And if you are a Yoga teacher then you can't do work in the park.

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