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Original poster

A discussion on what's really allowed during lockdown

100 replies

OnTheEdgeOfTheNight · 27/03/2020 14:42

The discussion linked below is about the English version of the bill. You may be surprised to see how the actual wording varies from what people believe

mobile.twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1243196424445136896

Then we get to freedom of movement restrictions. This is quite a bit more detailed than, and different to, PM's statement. Big difference I spotted is there is no restriction on number of times you can do each thing lawfully. You just need a "reasonable excuse" as defined

The Scottish legislation is here
www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/103/pdfs/ssi_20200103_en.pdf

I haven't checked Ni and Wales

OP posts:
Flaxmeadow · 28/03/2020 04:38

because they've decided that milk isn't essential

Unless you're a baby, milk isn't essential over a 24 hour period.

People are dying ffs and you want to "just pop back to the shop officer" because you forgot your milk and you really really can't live without your coffee in the morning. They will move you on sharpish with a smirk and who could blame them

NewYearNewJob123 · 28/03/2020 05:09

Yes of course the Police are stopping people from going to shops 🙄

Flaxmeadow · 28/03/2020 05:23

Yes of course the Police are stopping people from going to shops

You can make one journey to do a food shop. So yes they will stop you if they know you are making a second journey for the 'milk you forgot' (unless its for a baby, which is essntial ). A previous poster suggested this wasnt true.

Its staggering how many people cannot see that we are heading the same way as Italy, France and Spain. Even after all these months of it being in the papers and on the news

MadamePewter · 28/03/2020 05:36

Oh thank you OP!! I’m feeling much better now and shall go out to exercise/dog walk/whatever armed with the appropriate legislation. There’s so much guff around, including, it appears, from government sources.

Ks0708 · 28/03/2020 05:36

Of course the law isn't actually that restrictive. What they've found in recent weeks is that people are stupid and need to have things spelled out to them very clearly and also require the fear of god putting into them. Hence the instructions from the government are as stark and simple as possible! If you have a brain, you may use your own judgement of course. As shown by the MN threads, a lot of peoples judgement is way off, so best to just follow the official rules!

NewYearNewJob123 · 28/03/2020 06:04

Wrong again Flax. Nothing anywhere says you're only permitted one trip to the shops so yes, you are making it up.

Flaxmeadow · 28/03/2020 06:28

Wrong again Flax. Nothing anywhere says you're only permitted one trip to the shops so yes, you are making it up.

That's up to the police now. They have been given discretionary powers by the home secretary, to act if they think a journey is not essential. The 'advice' won't matter as much

Its interesting how different police forces are saying different things

NewYearNewJob123 · 28/03/2020 06:30

Nor does it say that you're only allowed to go out for a food shop..you can go to the bank, pet shop, hardware stores, bike shop, petrol station, chemist, the newsagent, the mechanic, dry cleaners, the fish and chip shop..

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 28/03/2020 06:31

twitter.com/HaltonBrookPol/status/1242742856000966656

This was just posted on another thread. Very definitely says you can only go to the shop once per day

CarlottaValdez · 28/03/2020 06:36

The danger of police over reach on this shouldn’t be underestimated. There’s a reason we don't generally allow the police to make up their own laws.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 28/03/2020 06:41

What's the alternative?

The bone heads who flocked to the pubs and the beaches last weekend won't police themselves will they? What do they expect?

Should the virus just be left to rampage through the population and hang the consequences?

NewYearNewJob123 · 28/03/2020 06:42

That's not what the LEGISLATION says. Individual Police forces not being able to read and saying what they think you should do doesn't change that.

WomanIsTaken · 28/03/2020 07:00

Pippong, I am so sorry you are in this situation. Ideally, your client should be paying you irrespective of you being unable to the work for now, just as a matter of principle. I am surprised they have not cancelled and discussed it with you. Take care Flowers

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 28/03/2020 07:01

It might not be what the legislation says, but that's what that police force is saying. I doubt they'll be up for a debate on the finer points of the law in the middle of the street so I guess you'd either have to do what they say or get a fine or be arrested and then argue it later? I don't know. I've never been arrested so no idea what you do.

Seems funny how no one is challenging any of them though if they're all misinterpreting the law.

daisychain01 · 28/03/2020 07:16

This morning is the first time DH and I have left the house for 8 days. We're going to Tesco for food to last another 8 days.

Last night I went through the fridge and store cupboard and made a list of what we need, so there'll be no "oh I forgot xyz Officer" and the list can be a reasonable substitute for a letter to show the police why we're out. I should be in and out of the shop in under an hour, no hanging about.

It really isn't difficult if people could only apply some common sense and stop making everything so complicated.

Imstillskanking · 28/03/2020 07:36

I think part of the problem is that a lot of this stuff is so subjective. Some people think going to the shop because they forgot bread is essential. Others think it's not. Some think 3 walks a day is essential. Others think walks aren't essential at all. Some think that if you have enough food at then you shouldn't step outside your front door for the next 3 weeks unless your life is in danger. Others think that popping to their mates house every afternoon for a cup of tea and a chin wag is ok because they probably don't have the virus so what harm could it do?

We either need to accept that some people will be more liberal about this than others, or we need clearer rules with more police presence to enforce it. At this moment and time I don't know what the answer is. I don't know what we should do for the best.

Ledkr · 28/03/2020 07:46

We walk the dog over the road in a large park and last night we were told by the police to keep walking. We had stopped momentarily to throw the ball for the dog. They were very polite tho and my dh will be out doing the same from Monday night Wink

CarlottaValdez · 28/03/2020 07:53

My husband got shouted at by some prick for being out with our 5 year old. Just walking near our house. He said he should be keeping his “baby” at home. I can’t stand this policing of people by idiots.

Random18 · 28/03/2020 07:53

Thank Op, now we will have the idiots who already think the rules don't matter to them going out armed with this to justify their selfish behaviour.

At this time, it doesn't really matter what the law says.

The govt have told us what is needed at this time to beat coronavirus and that is going to shops only when essential, go to work if you can't work from home and exercise once a day.

If you are liable to forget things write a bloody list before you go.
None of us like this but it's necessary and I will do my bit.

I am glad we can still exercise as long as we follow social distancing rules. I will be really pissed off if selfish pricks who don't follow the rules get the daily exercise stopped for everyone.

QuimJongUn · 28/03/2020 07:56

I did a supermarket shop yesterday morning. I do two or three a week - I don't drive, I'm disabled, DH is wfh during the day and there's only so much I can carry. Yesterday evening me and DH went for our state sanctioned half hour walk (we go every evening when he finishes work).

On our walk we passed a local cafe which is opening for two hours a day to sell beers and wines. We went in and bought a couple of bottles.

If it's legal for the shop (which only sells non essentials, and was operating an only two people in at any time policy) to be open, and it's legal to buy what they sell, how can it be illegal to do all of the above?

I haven't seen one police officer since lockdown began, and I live in a big city. A few police cars have driven by but far fewer than I'd usually see. So no, I don't think the police are watching you and will slap a fine in you if you nip back out for milk or stay out for 35 minutes instead of half an hour. Don't be ridiculous.

bobstersmum · 28/03/2020 07:59

My next door neighbours are in their 80s and I can't bear to watch but they go out to the local shop every day for the paper and fresh rolls, they have their family visiting and going into the house almost daily and they went out last night to a meeting with friends for a club they are in!
They are fit and active but one of them regularly is admitted to hospital for heart complaints, I just can't believe they haven't locked themselves in. I have offered to get them anything they need but their family are local too and they say they've also offered, but they are still visiting! Worries me.

HeIenaDove · 28/03/2020 15:18

Azenor
@Azenor
·
57m
"Police fined a bakery boss £80 for criminal damage after she put temporary lines outside her shop."

"The officer told the woman that she had graffitied the pavement and if police failed to punish crimes like these there would be 'anarchy"

Really12345 · 28/03/2020 15:28

So I’m going to the shop five times on a Saturday because I’m shopping for four families who are isolating due to risk factors and I’m a key worker and am at work Monday-Friday. Due to the item limits I can only buy one families weekly shop per visit so I need to get that, deliver it, get the next deliver it etc....any police officer that tries to stop me is very welcome to do the shopping for some of these people.....if the shops let you prove in some way that you were shopping for others then it would be easier and I would do it all in one trip.....

daisychain01 · 29/03/2020 08:35

On our walk we passed a local cafe which is opening for two hours a day to sell beers and wines. We went in and bought a couple of bottles.

In this scenario, you may not get your wrist slapped by a policeman, but there's nothing to stop you asking yourself is this purchase essential.

Why do people need a law to be in place and police to be patrolling to just do the right thing, every time. Not just some of the time. Not just when it suits them, or when they feel like it. Limit all social interactions to only the essentials. It isn't difficult. It needs thought and will power, no excuses.