Can I drive 5 miles to walk in the woods?

[R2221]

Just that really. We’ve been isolating for over a week and these woods are the only thing that kept us sane. Isolated woods - not many people there. Those we came across were mindful of distance.

With the current lockdown rules, are we allowed to drive there?

No days out
No visits.
No jollys cos the kids are board.
3 weeks now, or 3 months, which do you want?

we are driving to the woods to walk the dog and kids. We are alot less likely to bump into anyone there than we are in the streets near us

Even if you are the queen it's still not ok for your family to drive to you and your grounds to exercise because it's NON ESSENTIAL TRAVEL.

OMFG. What is so difficult to understand?
There is no conversation.
No buts.
That is the rules end of!!

NHS staff are in tears of despair over people carrying on with thier own interpretation of the rules because our hospitals are already pretty full and they know we are following Italy.

Stop being a selfish Fucker and let's all try to be in this together.

STAY.AT.HOME

The number of dimwits on here is astounding.

Why ask the question if you don't like the answer?

As well as all the effects on others if you chose to disregard govt directives there are also fines.

But you just crack on.

No it's not okay, it's clearly non essential. I'd love to know how many of the people out in woods these days USED to go on daily 'exercises' before they were told they couldn't. Unless you NEED to go out, i.e. your kids are screaming the place down after being cooped up and nothing you do will calm them down, do not go out. It's so simple. It's so simple I don't understand how people don't get it. Stay in your home, exercise in your living room, put a workout video on or set up an obstacle course in your kitchen. Do not go outside if you can possibly avoid it. If there is literally anything you can do to avoid leaving your house, do it.

No wonder we are getting in a mess.

There is a bunch of kids playing football on my estate

No. I don't understand why people can't understand the most basic of rules.

I have stayed away from most threads to try to maintain my sanity.

I wish I hadn’t read this one. I just want to cry. What part of essential travel only is so hard to understand. We are only at the start of how bad things are going to get. My heart is breaking for every single person working on the frontline in our hospitals. They are already stretched and risking their lives - and it is going to get worse.

A 10 mile round trip for a walk in the sodding woods is not essential. It is selfish - there is no other way to say it. I couldn’t give a flying fuck through a rolling donut how any of you try to justify/excuse/dress it up. It is selfish selfish selfish. I am so glad that I’ve not had to deal with this mentality from anyone I know in real life.

Everyone needs to adjust - our animals need to adjust - otherwise the types of scenarios we need to adjust to are going to become even harder for even longer and the consequences for both the ill and the heroes in our NHS are going to be even more horrific.

Technophobe here, so not sure how to link to another thread, but take a moment to read the thread “Plea right her from NHS staff” posted by @madcatladyforever.

I live on my own, had to have my best friend put to sleep 6 days ago, have 3 autoimmune conditions which affect everyday life and I’m scared and want to see and hug my friends and family. But I’m not a dick and will only be travelling to collect food and medication.

To the sensible ones on here - thank you. To the rest - good luck and enjoy your pointless journeys as much as you can, because in a few days you definitely won’t be able to make them.

Everyone from London jumped
In their cars at the weekend to come and get some sea air.. now we are on lockdown.

BBC news answered a question live about this 5 minutes ago. 'FINE TO DRIVE AND TAKE EXERCISE'. I expect this could be changed.

Its fine to drive to for a walk currently. Hth!

I came on to post that too. BBC says it's ok and they're checking advice from Gov.

On the BBC news a little while ago, the same question was asked.

The minister said yon were able to drive to walk in a more isolated area to avoid contact with people as long as it was only once a day.

Oh dear. A few apologies due to the OP then, I think...

Don't suppose they will be offered, though.

If that is correct then I do apologise to the OP.

It's certainly not how I or any of my neighbours have interpreted. And quite frankly it's absolutely pointless telling people that they have to stay at home if you can pile into the car and head off to whatever beauty spot you fancy.

I feel so sorry for the staff in the NHS.

The minister said yon were able to drive to walk in a more isolated area to avoid contact with people as long as it was only once a day.

Of course he did because that is the common sense thing to do. After reading thins thread and wondering if I’d totally lost the plot I have spoken to friends and family 2 of whom are front line nhs staff, the other a key worker, and they all intend to continue short drives for isolated walks. If at a later time it appears people are not applying common sense then they will have to stipulate that you must be with 1k of your home when exercising.

Thanks PPs for the clarification.

I have been driving to quiet areas of the countryside for the last week to walk the dog, observing social distancing and using hand gel after touching gates etc

On the back of this thread I decided to walk from the house today. It was ok, not as busy as I had thought it mite be. Certainly do able for 3 weeks.

If I'm permitted to walk further afield I may do that once or twice a week. It's better for my mental health to be out in the fresh air away from the city. However I have to balance that up against the car journey, chance of an accident and needing hospital care.

My mental health is important but preventing people dying is more important imho

Well in the woods I walk I don’t meet many people and it’s a lot easier to keep your distance walking in the woods than around a built up area. I doubt I will catch the Corona virus walking in the woods or driving 15 mins to get there.

So there are no pavements or roads where you live? That's all dogs need to shit on really.

Depends on where you're going. National Trust properties/anywhere that's usually heaving on bank holidays, no. Somewhere local where you have been multiple times and rarely met anyone no matter what the weather/holiday, different story.

Plea in linked mumsnet topic from an NHS worker, for drivers to stay off the road

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3859469-Plea-right-here-from-NHS-staff?pg=1&order=

Good on you @dorapicasso

This from Stafford Police