To walk with my baby outside the local area?

[willowsandroses]

It didn’t really occur to me I was breaking any rules, but now I’m feeling really guilty!

My baby doesn’t nap easily during the day but will generally sleep in the car. If I drive somewhere local, he’ll just have fallen asleep before getting him up again, leading to wailing for the walk! So I’ve been driving further afield to give him a chance to have a good sleep. He then seems chilled snd content for the walk and then will often sleep on the way back, too. It also gives me a real break and walking in new places is enjoyable for me too.

Surely this isn’t breaking the law? Or is it?

Why drive further away instead of just doing laps locally before stopping?

The local thing is just so you aren't unnecessarily mixing with people you wouldn't.

Locally you all probably use the same super market so not too bad

But 2 people from 2 separate towns both travel just a bit outside their local area to the beauty spot between them and now those towns are no longer separated so spread could be worse.

Its not perfect but the measures are just to try and help

Unfortunately what you are doing is currently against 'regulations'

It is against advice but not against the law in England. Assuming the place you walk is quiet, the increased risk is very small. I would do what you are doing, without feeling guilty.

I suppose because laps involve much more stopping and starting, whereas driving further away is more settling for him - I do see what you mean but on the other hand I don’t actually go near anybody if you see what I mean!

Really phat it’s been the only thing saving my sanity!

Oh that’s a relief choc! I was worried about being in trouble.

You won't get in trouble. The guidance says you "should" stay local, not that you "must", so it is just guidance. In order to make it law, they would have to put a distance on it because otherwise "local" is subjective.

Presumably you're not travelling 100 miles away anyway and it sounds like you're not meeting anyone else. Honestly, the increased risk is so so so tiny.

*The local thing is just so you aren't unnecessarily mixing with people you wouldn't.

Locally you all probably use the same super market so not too bad*

The OP isn't mixing with anyone, she is going for a walk outside alone

Locally to me (within 2 miles) there are 3 supermarkets, and about 15 corner shops, so that logic makes no sense. And I'm not in a big city. I dont use any of them, I get my shopping delivered, does that mean I'm not allowed to go for a walk locally either, as I would be mixing with people I itherwise wouldnt?

The "stay local" guidance makes no sense in my opinion, from an infection control point of view. The only thing I can think is that maybe it prevents people travelling so fewer people will be tempted to break the rules by travelling to see family, as they think they might be stopped.

I think it's absolutely fine.

Yup. Its against regulation.

I would still keep doing it anyway. If you are going for rural walks where you don't encounter many people it has no impact. Plus, who is going to stop you?

Just for context many, many miles away are you driving? And do you live rurally or in a town?

It’s against the spirit of the advice we are being given. You should stay at home whenever possible .

Crack on as far as I’m concerned OP. The ‘stay local’ advice is guidance not law. Life is hard enough at the moment and the risk is minimal.

I think it depends on how far you are driving surely?
20 min down the road is very different to driving 2 hours into the next county

Why x?

you should stay home wherever possible - I think it depends what you mean by possible!

It’s fine, enjoy your walk