Local Lockdowns - ‘Reasonable Excuse’

[theclockticksslowly]

So my area is now in a local lockdown and we must stay within the county boundary unless we have a reasonable excuse. What counts as a reasonable excuse? I’ve read the guidance and obviously work, school, giving care to relative count but what else is ‘reasonable’?

The bank I go to is in the next county but it is closer than the one in mine and I prefer it for various reasons (parking, feeling safer there than walking across the local town). But I assume I won’t be able to go there?

Children’s extracurricular activities? Mine do dance, gym and football - all in the next county but again much closer than anywhere available where we are. 500yards over the boundary! Do these class as a reasonable excuse? They’re obviously not essential but being back a couple weeks has done wonders for my kids mentally.

I’m just trying to get it clear in my head as to what is acceptable or not?

Would you mind sharing which area you’re in as I haven’t heard about local lockdowns being this stringently enforced? As far as I’m aware, nowhere is under “essential travel only”, the restrictions are mainly focused on having private visitors and group outings so you can otherwise continue those activities as normal. Also as you seem to live very close to the adjacent area, I doubt you’d be asked to go home.

This all seems pretty clear:

www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-restrictions-areas-with-an-outbreak-of-coronavirus-covid-19

As for banking, I haven't visited a bank in years, so I'd firstly think about whether you can do whatever you want to do at the bank online, or using a local post office.

As for children's activities, that will be down to whether it is being done in a COVID safe manner with all the risk assessments and procedures in place. The organisers should have considered the likelihood of people from the local lockdown area joining them, seeing as you're so close.

Thanks for the replies so far. Sorry should have said I was in Wales where the restrictions I think are different.

By “essential travel only” I meant “essential activities only” ie you’re not currently advised to stay at home by default. I’m guessing you’re in the north east?

• Travel outside the area is permitted but visiting another home or garden is not.

Therefore visiting the bank is likely to be fine as long as you’re not meeting anyone.

• People are advised not to socialise outside their household in public venues.
• People are advised not to attend amateur or professional sporting events as a spectator.

My take here is that the extra curricular activities are fine to attend, but they might be one of the next things to gain harsher restrictions. If you go, assess whether you think the venue itself is Covid-safe or not. It’s currently your decision

I think where you live so close to a boundary, discression needs to be used. I'd say going to the nearest X, and not being stupidly far from home are both reasonable.

Ignore my previous posts as didn’t know you were in Wales.

Visiting the bank outside your area would not be permitted at all, even if you have to travel further. You don’t have a reasonable excuse as you have a bank within the area. You are also expected to seek alternatives ie online banking.

Slight grey area with extra curricular activities, however it’s not essential like travelling for work, so it is something that will likely place you under scrutiny.

These links should clear it up:

gov.wales/local-coronavirus-rules-caerphilly-county-borough

gov.wales/caerphilly-county-coronavirus-lockdown-frequently-asked-questions

Extracurricular activities would be classed as education.

Though if lockdown is tightened up you won't be able to go.

Dance gym and football are not education, they are recreational so that's not a reasonable excuse.

Going to the bank would likely be fine if you really need to go to the bank.

You're posting on here so you clearly have internet access and could therefore access online banking, so that's not really a reasonable excuse for travel.

Online banking isn't something you can access right away if you don't already have access - sometimes you need to wait for a letter with an access code.

OP of course you can travel outside the county if the bank over the border is closer. The people who make these rules must live right in the middle of counties, miles away from any borders! In the real world we cross borders all the time when we live near a county border. Although local councils don't like it either and make stupid rules about who can use their tips and libraries.

I do online banking but I can’t pay in cash online unfortunately.

I was leaning towards the extracurricular activities not being a reasonable excuse.

@theclockticksslowly I would think they would be fine. Extra curriculum activities for obvious reasons and trip to the bank because bills still need to be paid. You can pay money into your bank from a post office if that's any easier. Wales here also but not in a local lockdown (yet).

Can I travel to and from the area to take part in sport?

No, only if you are a professional sportsperson or an elite athlete as designated by Sport Wales. Travelling to and from the area for amateur sport activities is not permissible.