You don't have to stay at home

[HatRack]

...unless you have symptoms. Is that correct?

I'm confused by the difference between self isolation and social distancing. I would like to take the kids to the beach today to collect pebbles so we can paint them at home. But there appears to be a lot of stigma aimed towards people that do activities like this.

It depends how easy it would be to stay away from other people whilst there and on the way there and back.
It's hard to say.
I live near the coast with no garden, and I feel so sorry for the kids being cooped up when it looks gorgeous outside.
I think going early or late might be key.

It’s going to depend on how many people on your beach.

If it’s isolated fine. If everyone else has had the same idea, go straight back home.

If the beach is packed, no. If it's pretty quiet and you can stay far away from others, yes.

You don't have to stay at home

Although that is preferable

You do have to socially distance , so the beach is not going to work because we can't fit everyone onto the beaches at the same time

Yesterday they closed some beaches and park and I expect that trend will grow

Grab some pebbles from a garden or find something else to paint

To be honest, today of all days I would not, because hundreds and hundreds of people have the same idea.

Stick to your local area and go out at times when there are likely to be less people.

Use your common sense ffs! You need to have min 2m between yourself and next person

This is where I'm getting confused, we want to go for a walk change of scenery but I bet everyone will have the same idea. We might just do a drive stand outside the car fro fresh air and come back again. Also pm says say hello to mum via Skype but can I not just drop gift off on path and say hello from a distance?? It's so confusing 😩

At the moment, guidelines are that you strictly self-isolate if you or a family member have symptoms.

There’s no actual lockdown (yet) so you can go out but we all have to exercise common sense.

Can you go to beach which is empty enough that you can stay at a distance from others at all times?

This is all about breaking the chains of transmission where we can. You MAY already have the virus but aren’t experiencing symptoms, although you’d still be infectious.

Use your best judgement and remember to fully wash your hands when you come home.

The government guidelines actually say you can go for a walk but you must keep your distance from other people.

Should have added to my post that you must not go out if you or any of your household have any symptoms.

Unless you have symptoms or are in vulnerable group it's fine to go outside as long as you keep 2m away from other people (social distancing). You should not take your kids to a playground with other kids, for example. I'm planning on taking the dogs to a nearby park where it's very possible to keep well away from everyone. So if you can keep your distance then you can take your kids out (I thought you weren't supposed to remove pebbles from a beach though).

With it being Mothering Sunday and nice weather I'd avoid it if it were me as I think lots of people will be there. Yesterday my partner took the children to national trust place thinking it won't be too busy but he said there were loads of people. We are using the garden to play in and this afternoon we'll take the kids for a scoot around the streets

Kew Gardens has closed for today for this very reason; expecting the hordes to descend en masse for Mother’s Day.
People still aren’t getting it.

Yes as everyone has said -stsy at. Home if ANY of you have any symptoms.

It’s ok to walk/go to the beach/woods etc if you keep your distance from others.

Obviously it would be more idea if everyone stayed home, but we need to look at mental health as well. Make the most of the fresh air while we still can but obviously no cafes/chatting to people and don’t let the kids on play equipment or other shared stuff.

If it’s even a bit busy, go home & go smoother day. Kids might be disappointed but that’s life, unfortunately.

My parents are staying in (& have been for the last 10 days). I got a couple of bits of shopping for them today & put it outside their door. I then walked back about 3 metres & we had a 5 minute chat at that distance.

I'm not taking the dc out at all for now. We will stay at home or in the garden. None of us are showing symptoms but it seems the most sensible thing to do right now.

We're near the coast as well & any other time we'd be at the beach & enjoying the local parks etc. If this carries on a long while we've decided that on days where the weather's not great ie not 'beach' weather then we'll go & see how busy it is. If it's quiet we'll go on the beach for fresh air & play & stay away from others. We've got a beach shelter & will take hot drinks to make it nice but won't be the same as previous years.

Nice hot weather will be enjoyed in the garden.

I want this situation over as soon as possible & the only thing we can do is to follow the guidance as strictly as possible!

Just stay at home. The risk of infecting someone vulnerable isn't worth your little outing. There's a stigma for a reason.

Quite a few beaches/beauty spots are shutting or struggling with the volume of people. You’d be better to pick somewhere less popular if you’re going for a walk. We live rurally and there are several footpaths nearby, they’re so busy I’m actually avoiding walking my dogs until later on.