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?

DS took the dog on her usual walk in our rather quiet woods. It was mobbed with people. He is autistic and was rather freaked out.

Yes op you can go to the woods, just expect 10 million other people to have the same idea.

However can someone explain how driving to an isolated area is putting others at risk compared to walking around the local area which may be densely populated?

They can't. They're just ranting.

Every time you leave your house you are creating a risk for those around you and the NHS

The OP is getting into her car by herself, going for a walk out in the open where she can practice social distancing safely. That's not creating risk.

I'm MN'ed out again.

Sensible people will make good decisions; less sensible people will continue to have no handle whatsoever on basic assessment of risk AND people's ability to follow the advice currently in place. And as ever, the bullies of MN are all over these threads, and God they're unpleasant to be around, even virtually.

I'm out. Stay safe all.

And again...

Good luck if your car breaks down, good luck if you’re in an accident (we had two idiots in this area the last two weeks), where do you intend on parking now they’re going to close the rural car parks, where do you get petrol from? Are you touching no gates, no stiles?

Remember people on this thread are actually dealing with corona. As in... we know people in hospital with it, and people working to save lives.

I am currently using any spare time volunteering, helping the elderly in this area get food online. Why don’t you all use this spare time for something bigger than yourselves?

According to the news I saw at lunchtime where this question was specifically asked, yes you can.
I've been wondering this and think I'll do it very occasionally to a quiet spot I know and love.

Notmyrealname855

Take a day off

Normal people judge risk and make sensible decisions. As I've said all along, driving to somewhere quiet to exercise makes a huge amount of sense. And the government agrees, so you can be as belligerent as you like.

I have to drive to the shops to get food. Not once have i ever got in the car thinking I might have an accident.

Good luck if your car breaks down, good luck if you’re in an accident (we had two idiots in this area the last two weeks

Neither of those are very significant risks and presumably car accident figures have dropped dramatically as people are not commuting for work/doing the school run.

Running in a rural location is probably much safer in terms of spreading CV than in a built up area so that would have to be factored in too.

where do you get petrol from?

Most people still need to get petrol for food shopping. Presumably they're doing less of that anyway, so using less petrol.

Are you touching no gates, no stiles?

That's not particularly difficult to avoid.

Presumably if the OP can't find parking, she won't stop there. Otherwise, I do not see the issue here.

Battersea Park is crowded not because people are "stupid and selfish" - it's because London is really bloody crowded, so there is nowhere you could exercise in complete isolation! It's not their fault, they're just following instructions.

In less populated areas this isn't an issue at all, my town was super quiet.

We are trying to stay healthy and going for a walk is ok. Once a day. I have my own woods and fields. Lucky me. Others would like to safely access fresh air. That’s ok. Panic doesn’t help anyone. Safely driving 5 mins to a place to walk is ok. Just don’t clog up the roads and parking spaces. Keep your distance.

I am currently using any spare time volunteering, helping the elderly in this area get food online. Why don’t you all use this spare time for something bigger than yourselves?

Damnit. Just saw this as I signed out!

FGS. People can walk in a wood AND help their communities. It's utterly ridiculous to suggest otherwise. You have ZERO idea about the people posting here and how much they do for others.

Did you just want a 'Oh Well, done you!'?

I've delivered plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables around our area, AND I walk in woods! Crazy times, eh?

And now, I'm really out of here

Wait til you experience corona in your community. Good luck all

I am also very active in my local community plus a wood walker.

Good for you, and no - no praise wanted thanks. Glad you’re all helping out so much!

Why don’t you all use this spare time for something bigger than yourselves?

Taking care of your mental and physical health is a very positive thing to do.

We have a case in my community. People are safely walking in the countryside. It’s really ok to do this.

It's not very rational or intelligent to suggest that someone who gets in their own car, drives for 15 mins, gets out, goes for a walk, sees noone or someone at a safe distance, gets back in the car ,sanitises their hands, drives home, gets in, washes their hands is a high risk for spreading coronavirus.

It's not very rational or intelligent to suggest that someone who gets in their own car, drives for 15 mins, gets out, goes for a walk, sees noone or someone at a safe distance, gets back in the car ,sanitises their hands, drives home, gets in, washes their hands is a high risk for spreading coronavirus.

It's like talking to the wind Tony

I'd forgotten about the bullies on mumsnet that get a bee in their bonnet and just won't let it go, despite that bee having no actual relationship to the real world.

Looking at the picture ALexa has posted of Battersea park, is there a specific issue around London where there is nowhere quiet / isolated enough for people to socially distance when out walking? I'm questioning because I don't honestly know.

I think I'm lucky living on edge of small town that I can happily walk around the streets to a small local park half a mile away. I pass very few people on the street, so can cross over and the park is deserted given that the play equipment and outdoor exercise stuff is all taped up.

We can also drive one or two miles out to more countryside area, would need to avoid the NT car parks but there are enough different routes to find somewhere quiet, I would think.

I feel very sorry for anyone cooped up in flats / apartments with nowhere safe to walk and play near by.

Cities have a much higher density of population though don’t they? It’s far more difficult to separate. I would think going for a walk in another area if doing shopping in the same trip would be ok. Maybe not every day though.

is there a specific issue around London where there is nowhere quiet / isolated enough for people to socially distance when out walking?

London is more challenging yes. But again it depends where you are. Hampstead Heath is 790 acres.

I'm getting so sick of all the "but this, but that" on here. I'm in Spain. We've been locked down for ELEVEN days and will be until 12 April, minimum. We can't go for a fucking walk and we manage. 514 people died here YESTERDAY. The ice rink in Madrid is being turned into a morgue. Just STAY AT HOME. It won't fucking kill you. Outdoor exercise isn't a human right you know, you'll live with a bit of yoga in your lounge for a while, millions of us have.

Outdoor exercise isn't a human right you know

No, but it has many benefits.

I cannot see how what the OP is doing can spread CV. People coming into close contact with each other spreads CV.

Lockdown hasn't worked in Spain or Italy, and sadly looks as though it hasn't worked in China either. Assuming it's not going to work here either, but people driving in their cars to walk away from others isn't going to transmit the virus.