Daily exercise - can I walk through city centre

[Upsidedownfrown]

I live in a small city, about 10mins from the city centre. I know that Tesco, Sainsbury's, superdrug, boots etc will still be open but I have no wish to go into any of these shops. I do however really want to go for a walk along the high street. I'm taking my kids out for a walk every day for an hour or so and so far have avoided going towards the centre. But I really want to... Partly just to see our lovely city when it's so quiet but also so that my 2 autistic children can see that everything is still there, still standing and all ok. It's been hard for them to process.

I know it sounds childish but would I get in trouble for choosing to take my family walking to the city centre? In my head I know it's no different to walking anywhere else, especially as I won't be shopping or anything but I almost feel like I shouldn't be doing it. I'm feel like I'm second guessing every decision at the moment

It's likely to be deserted, don't worry. If you start from your home and observe social distancing, you are not doing anything wrong.

I'd say no, not with your kids. But maybe once in order to just reassure them.

I wouldn’t go with your kids whilst shops are still open because you will come across other people. It won’t be deserted whilst shops are open, quiet yes, but will all 3 of you be able to keep 2 metres away from others at all times?

The chance of getting infected by walking past someone is by all accounts negligible unless they're coughing in your face. Walk where you want.

Assuming you're walking. I don't see why you can't exercise in a city centre near your home.
Plenty of people live in, or very near, city centre or large town areas. So they walk around them to. They are still very deserted though

Of course you can. Walk where you like as long as you can safely socially distance.

I worked in one of the above mentioned shops yesterday in the centre of three joining roads. On my breaks I sat near the window. There were very few people around, in fact, times when I couldn't see anyone. Another area might be busier, but if it's within the normal walking distance you'd cover and you're prepared to divert, then go for it.

Thanks everyone. Feel a bit better about it now. It's a massively wide high street anyway and the shops that will be open are well spaced out so won't be any stretches that are particularly busy.

I think a wander along will be enough to stop the questions about what's going on. We spend a lot of time in town normally as there's always performers, open air screenings in warmer months, something always going on at the museum, etc so it's been quite a shock for my boys and they're both genuinely concerned the whole centre has imploded or something!

Yes you can I live in a small city and walk through it with my child however if we are headed that way I wait til around 5pm or later so it will be even quieter, and stick to wide streets where you can pass others with enough distance.

Walk wherever you like. There is absolutely no prohibition in law against your walking as far as you like and as frequently as you wish to.

Unless you do so while holding the hand of someone who you do not live with. That's not allowed.

Also don't cough or sneeze on people or wipe your snot in their mouths or lick their eyeballs. But all of those things have always been illegal. Not to mention bad manners.

I live in a small city, about 10mins from the city centre

To add. If it's a 10 minute walk yes, but I wouldn't use a car. The police are checking them.

Just posting this for info

I'm walking around a big city centre every day. It's absolutely fine - very few people about, and keeping a distance is easy.

@Flaxmeadow definitely a walk. My car is safely tucked up not being used until I desperately need to food shop

@jimmyhill I promise not to hold hands with any strangers. I may even shout "stranger danger!!" at anyone who dares walk too close to me

If you live that close to the city centre then yanbu but you might want to go after the shops close - say at 6?