Travelling between tiers in Scotland. Should I? Can I?

[ApolloandDaphne]

I am just trying to think what to do here. I am in a Tier 2 area as is my DM. A while back we booked tickets to go to a museum to see a particular exhibition and go for lunch within the museum. The area the museum is in is now in a Tier 3 area. Our planned visit is next week.

The plan was DM would get a bus and I would drive there. We don't plan to go anywhere else while we are there. The Scottish government seems to be saying we shouldn't travel between tiers except for work/school/caring which obviously this isn't but it seems very low risk to me.

There is a long back story leading up to this visit which is making me keen to go. I am generally very much someone who sticks to the rules. My DM is very keen to go too.

Should I go? Can I go?

[Justmuddlingalong]

This from the Scot gov website. no non-essential travel to/from level 3 or higher areas in Scotland and equivalents in rest of UK
I think we're being asked not to do this, as it's not one of the essential reasons to travel. But, everyone seems to interpret the guidelines to suit themselves. If your DM is happy to use public transport to visit a museum and have lunch with you despite the area being in level 3, I doubt anyone else's opinion really matters.

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

I think you are not supposed to go based on the guidance. I'm a total goody-two-shoes about rules, and personally wouldn't, but the museum aren't going to ask you to show proof of address, so....

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Actually, I just re-read that your mum was going to take a bus. I would go out of my way to avoid public transport at the moment unless it was absolutely critical.

[Srictlybakeoff]

I wouldn’t let my dm take public transport for the sake of going to a museum regardless of the rules ( which you old be breaking)

[ApolloandDaphne]

Hmm. Maybe I should offer to go and get her. Although that adds quite a lot onto my journey. And I shouldn't actually have her on my car at all. She is more than happy to stick her mask on and her the bus. I will sound her out.

[emmathedilemma]

hmmm.....tough one, because if you were going on holiday and staying a couple of nights then that seems to be more acceptable than going for a day trip.....
It's advice not the law #justsaying

[Brainwashed]

I think it's not just about not travelling between different tiers though. My understanding is you shouldn't be travelling outside your local council area unless essential. So we are in tier 3 but not allowed to travel 25 miles to Edinburgh which is also tier 3. And the advice is most definitely to avoid public transport

[Justmuddlingalong]

Car sharing amongst different households is also discouraged.

[historyrocks]

If by any chance you happen to be talking about the V&A in Dundee, I was there with DD a few weeks ago and it was very quiet. I’d go in you’re situation. (Dundee cases are quite a bit lower than some other tier 3 areas). But no way would I have my DM travelling on public transport, but she’s nearly 80.

[ApolloandDaphne]

@historyrocks

If by any chance you happen to be talking about the V&A in Dundee, I was there with DD a few weeks ago and it was very quiet. I’d go in you’re situation. (Dundee cases are quite a bit lower than some other tier 3 areas). But no way would I have my DM travelling on public transport, but she’s nearly 80.

Yes. We would be travelling from Fife to the V&A. My DM is almost 80. This is her birthday treat from me. I am wondering if we might do it but I pick her up so she doesn't need to get the bus. She is very feisty and independent. She may be adamant about getting the bus!

[SeaMayweed]

It's pretty clear:

Level 2 - travel:

• no non-essential travel to/from level 3 or higher areas in Scotland and equivalents in rest of UK

• exemptions for essential travel for work, education, shopping health etc; outdoor exercise; weddings and funerals; shared parenting and transit through restricted areas

Trip to a museum from tier 2 to tier 3 is not essential travel.

[MaxNormal]

It's guidance not law. I'll be going where I wish.

[rookiemere]

I'd take her in the car with masks rather than her taking the bus.
Guidelines suggest you don't do the trip, but I probably would if your DM is comfortable with it.

[MaxNormal]

And definitely give your mum her 80th, but possibly not the bus at her age if she'll listen! I'd imagine that would be the one point in the day where it's hard to keep your distance and there's a risk.

[MaxNormal]

Also you could maybe get a test before going in the car with your mum if you're worried that you've had a lot of contact with people.

[ApolloandDaphne]

@MaxNormal

Also you could maybe get a test before going in the car with your mum if you're worried that you've had a lot of contact with people.

I'm not going to get a test. I have no symptoms and I hardly mix at all. The last person I met up with was actually my DM!

[toxtethOgradyUSA]

It's quite simple OP: do whatever you can or wish to get away with without getting caught or fined.

[Isadora2007]

Could she get a train? Very close to the V and A- faster and this reducing travel time.
As an aside- I spent over an hour in total in a car with someone not wearing a mask. I was wearing a medical mask the full time. I tested positive for covid the same day as that trip. He was a vulnerable person age and medical status wise- he did not catch Covid from me. Nor did the other two people with us- one wore a mask and the other didnt.
It has really made me see the importance of wearing a mask to protect others tbh.

[Thermo]

@toxtethOgradyUSA

It's quite simple OP: do whatever you can or wish to get away with without getting caught or fined.

It’s this attitude that’s got Lanarkshire in the mess it’s in

[Dreeple]

You can go to Bute, but not via Glasgow.

[MaxNormal]

@ApolloandDaphne That's even better then. I hope she has a lovely 80th with you.

[bookishtartlet]

I'm in Fife and would do this. I'm also not a rule breaker by habit.

[historyrocks]

The V&A was very well run when I was there recently, also very open and airy.

[SeaMayweed]

Yes it's guidance not regulation at the moment but being kept under review. Today the First Minister urged everyone to abide with the travel requests as it's one of the ways to sustain the differentiated approach and to avoid returning to national travel restrictions.

[MaxNormal]

I've rewritten what I wanted to say about the First Minister as it's very rude on a thread about someone's eightieth birthday but after seeing how she's completely shafting businesses I don't really care what she has to say.