Am I allowed to take shopping to my 85yo MIL

[Blankiefan]

She's self isolating. She had food for the next few days but we can't book an online delivery slot til 13th April. She'll need stuff before then. She lives about 25 miles away. We'd plan to drop food on her doorstep. Do people think this qualifies as "helping a vulnerable person" or where could I officially find out?

I will be dropping shopping at my 83yo uncles doorstep - he lives 10 miles away. He has managed to sign up to a local shop delivering fresh parcels - but will still need some other basics every ten days or so. He has nobody else to help. I deem this as essential travel.

Yes this is essential care for a vulnerable person. I would leave the food outside, wave through the window and get straight back in your car however.

id say yes but i will be doing the exact same as you

It's not about whether you're 'allowed' or not. The question is 'is it essential?'

It sounds pretty essential to me.

Unless there is someone nearer who could go for you?

Food is essential.
It's essential she doesn't the house.
Therefore, someone bringing food to her is essential.

I will need to do this for my DM who is 87

She’s vulnerable, it’s essential.

Advise her to unload it wearing gloves if she can and immediately discard the bags and boxes, then wash the gloves and then her hands.

I will need to do this for my parents who live an hour away from me. Can't get a delivery direct to them and i'm the nearest family.

Yes it’s essential caring responsibilities. The government want people who have families to be supporting them.

I will be dropping off anything my elderly parents desperately need. By dropping off I mean on their doorstep then leaving.

It's essential. I have an elderly aunt. I have a key for her house. If she needs anything I will put it just inside her door. I've also offered to do the same for elderly neighbours. I am going to be travelling to work anyway and although I don't need any shopping if I do I will ask them if they need anything. If they ask me to get anything I will get anything I will run out of soon so I don't go to the shops too often.

Yes, it's essential care.

We have an elderly Aunt and two Godparents who we need to get food from - one ten minutes away and the other two about twenty minutes.

DD is going to the supermarket to get what she can. We are then dividing it between them and I will take it to both houses, and leave outside.

Hopefully that's ok, but would certainly be happy to listen if we were advised of a better way of doing it.

• obviously food 'to' not 'from'!!!

Yes. I am doing this. We at the moment have a weekly delivery slot and then I am taking the food and leaving it on their doorstep. One of them has been self isolating for 3 weeks- as undergoing remote chemo and the other since last week when I started taking them food.. They have also asked for books next week.

I put it by their back door. Knock on front door which they open and talk to me from a distance.

I pack it up at least 3 hours before (put it in fridge) and only touch the handles of the bag- not the food. They then pick it up tip it out not using the handles, put the bags in the outside bin and wash their hands well. They then put the food away. The food inside has not been touched by me for at least 3 hours.

They usually have Sainsbury's delivery- not many options where they are and use the village shop but no delivery slots and the shop had been bare which is why they agreed to help when I offered. It is a 40 minute trip each way.

Yes, of course you can. I would think it is pretty essential she doesnt starve.

Common sense