Travelling from Aberdeen (locked down) to Scottish island?

[Malmoan]

My first AIBU as I’m just not getting it!

My brother & his girlfriend are currently in Aberdeen city visiting my parents, having traveled over from Austria. She’s a nurse, gets tested regularly if that’s in anyway relevant.

They are continuing with their plans to travel to a Scottish island (via car ferry journey where they can’t stay in the car) which doesn’t have the infrastructure to cope with an outbreak.

They don’t think the travel restrictions apply to them.

From the Scot gov site:
Travel
People in Aberdeen City are asked not to travel more than 5 miles for leisure, recreation or non-essential purchases. This includes to take holidays in other parts of Scotland or the UK

They have been out in Aberdeen since arriving (though no pubs) including supermarket etc.

They’ll be staying in a family house, on their own.

Under normal circumstances I would think low risk, not my business, but we have several older, vulnerable (including ex-shielded) family members in the village.

So AIBU to think they shouldn’t go, and to have told them this? Or in the words of his girlfriend who’s now feeling unwelcome in the family (and sent a huge self pitying diatribe about communication and kindness on the family WhatsApp) “ how can sisters treat their brother like this”

Family on the island wouldn’t expressly say it either but are NOT impressed.

I live on a small Scottish island and it is people like that who terrify me. We are living through a pandemic and have all had to make sacrifices. It is unbelievable that people will just carry on with their own plans with no thought to the people who live on these islands. We are vulnerable and if Aberdeen is in lockdown no one should be travelling. It will only take one person to bring it here and potentially wipe out the population. Tell them to think of others.

My understanding is that visitors to a place that is locked down are still allowed to leave, is that not correct? I didnt think the rules were designed to trap people there indefinitely.

I mean People who were visiting as lockdown comes in. Obviously you shouldn't visit after it is declared.

So which of your relatives do they not mind killing off?

Is there an island shop keeper that really pissed them off last time they where there and think this could be payback?

I would tell my family to stay away.

Of course visitors are allowed to leave Aberdeen, but to go home!

Not to continue their holiday in another separate part of the country?

The Scottish government said those on holiday in Aberdeen could continue and leave as planned but should conform to local rules whilst there

Nobody is saying don't leave Aberdeen. But to leave a Covid hotspot to go to a place without the infrastructure to cope with an outbreak is not a good idea.

Anybody who decides to travel away from their primary residence during a global pandemic should do so in full knowledge that the rules can and do change at short notice. They should also be prepared to fully abide by the rules.

Yes, it’s unfortunate but that’s the way it is. The rules aren’t just to protect us, it’s for the greater good and the sooner everyone can get their head around that the sooner things can be managed without such restrictions. Anyone who is prepared to flout the rules are quite simply very selfish imo.

If she feels that Austria is doing such a good job, why on earth did she decide to travel to the UK?

As the stakes are so high here - with very little medical access for the Islanders, I would be doing whatever I can to make sure that they are unable to travel.

There are roughly just over 100 cases in the NHS Grampian area, so most likely not even 100 cases in Aberdeen city. If they have not been anywhere near bars where it’s looking most likely all cases are linked to then I’d be pretty confident they haven’t caught the virus whilst in Aberdeen.

They absolutely musn't travel to the islands right now. They are struggling to cope with tourists as it is with long queues for food shopping etc. Bringing the virus in would be catastrophic

Your relatives really need to tell them not to visit, or I would be tempted to inform Calmac of their point of origin

I believe cases in Aberdeen are doubling every two days? Can’t remember where I saw that so can’t quote. So very likely community transmission.

I agree very very low chance they’ve caught it. But very low chance for vast majority in Aberdeen and yet it’s spreading at a rate which resulted in lockdown.

But if everyone thought the guidance didn’t apply to them where would we be?

I live in another city in Scotland - pretty sure I’m Covid free, would’ve quite like to go visit my parents for a couple of days before schools are back, but guidelines are that we can’t travel to Aberdeen.

Update - they’re not going!

Relief all round.

Heard third hand so no details.

Relationships may not be so quick to turn around sadly.

Thank fuck for that. The guidance is extremely clear, we are not permitted to leave the city boundaries for leisure or non essential travel so I'm glad they've finally seen sense.

Phew!

Great news. I wonder what it was that swung it for them?

Great news.

Honestly, I think I would have called the Ferry company - it would have put so many people at risk, including the staff on the ferries and those ferries are a lifeline for the islands.