A Question for mumsnetters in Scotland

[reesewithoutaspoon]

I am desperate to visit my daughter in Glasgow. But as I,m in the UK its off the cards for the moment. When do you think it will be allowed?
I havent seen her since Feb.

Sorry, can you clarify are you in or not in the U.K.?

I,m in the UK shes in Glasgow. I can drive there and back in a day thats not an issue, but apparently would not be able to go inside ie for toilets (though did consider stopping at a service before and after visiting. but i,m not sure what moving about within Scotland is allowed. I just want an idea of when I would be allowed to drive around in Scotland without fear of being stopped or fined or turned back

But Glasgow is in the UK?!

Sorry England

I assume you’re somewhere in England OP. I understand that Sturgeon hopes to announce commencement of Phase 2 on Thursday. I believe this would allow family to meet indoors, albeit with social distancing maintained and strict hygiene measures in place. I imagine this would be sufficient to allow you to visit your daughter.

Even in phase 2 when you can go inside someone’s house, you’re not supposed to travel more than 5 miles from home. Travelling further than 5 miles isn’t till phase 3. So it’s not really allowed.

Thank you. I hope thats the case. I dont want to break lockdown but its getting so hard now. A little light at the end of the tunnel would help.

The 5 mile rule is guidance not law in Scotland and applies to your daughter, not you - definitely by phase 3 (mid July?) but I’d go from 18 June if I were you.

@cremuel I understood that the 5 mile restriction was travelling for exercise, but for visiting family it was a case of using your discretion. At present, the limiting factor is not being able to access a toilet. I was really hoping phase 2 would allow me to visit my parents, some 25 miles away. Feeling pretty deflated now...

Flamegame thats what was confusing me a little. Under english guidance I can drive as far as I want and as a single adult can have one person in my Support bubble. but obviously Scottish regulations are different. I would minimise risk. shower and clean clothes before leaving. I have disenfectant wipes for using toilet as service station so I wouldnt need to go inside her house, just her garden. But what I was worried about was getting all the way up there and getting turned back or fined once over the border .

We are in the same situation in reverse as it happens although our English parents are all shielding, and I don’t think there is any specific guidance that covers people with families in both countries that I’ve seen.

There’s no hard border, so you’re only concern really is the unlikely event of being stopped by police, in which case you explain it’s an essential visit to family and the distancing steps you’ve outlined.

the argument would be that you need to care for a vulnerable person.

Could always buy a camping toilet Darkhumour.. it has crossed my mind as I,m desperate to see her.

She's not vulnerable but she does suffer from anxiety and we usually see each other every month, so this has been the longest time apart and she is getting really upset by it. I doubt it counts as exceptional circumstances though

I disagree, I think it is a valid reason.

The 5 mile guidance is to stop people gathering at beauty spots. Sturgeon didn't want people crossing over from a England to gather at Loch Lomond (for example). Nobody will care if you visit your daughter but of course technically the guidance is you can't enter her home or use her toilet. Would expect that to change on Thursday 18th though so you should be absolutely fine at that point.

@reesewithoutaspoon I did consider some sort of travel toilet, but I’d be taking my 5 year old with me and I’m convinced he’d definitely need a poo, due to the sheer novelty of it
I’m really hoping the briefing on Thursday will sufficiently lift the restrictions to enter my mum’s house and use her facilities. Perfectly happy to take wipes/maintain distance as long as I can use the toilet

Just go and use the toilet.
Fgs dont use a a sevice station.
Imagine the germs in there