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Original poster

Central Scotland - more of a rant really.

61 replies

sweetkitty · 18/10/2020 13:08

So we’ve had restrictions that have been stricter than tier 3 for the past week or so but you wouldn’t know it. No pubs or restaurants have been open in the central belt and Nicola told us to stay home unless we had a holiday booked.

But it’s October holidays so my Facebook is full of people on holiday, all over the UK. Loads of people have left the central belt and went all over the country. People I know booked last minute things to get away. The latest craze seems to be mountain climbing (I’ll admit I’m jealous of that one as my health means I can’t do it) but 100s of people out every weekend climbing hills apparently they are really busy.

So tomorrow all the schools go back and all these children who have been all over the place all get to mix again.

I guess my rant is what was the point of the 16 day restrictions? Shutting the pubs and restaurants just harmed those businesses in the central belt as a lot of people just travelled outside the area.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 18/10/2020 15:39

I am a stickler for the rules generally but I don't see the issue with going away self catering and walking outdoors. These things are not banned. It is so much safer than sitting in bars and restaurants. I live in a tourist are just outside the central belt and it has been busy with people walking on the beaches and going to cafes. I am happy people are here contributing to our local economy.

Mistressiggi · 18/10/2020 15:41

I do wonder if I watch the same briefings as everyone else sometimes. She was absolutely clear that holidays in October did not have to be cancelled. This has left lots of people in the position that if they did choose to cancel they would not get anything refunded.

thereplycamefromanchorage · 18/10/2020 15:42

Exactly mistressgigi - we wouldn't have got refunded if we cancelled

TheOneWhoWalksInTheSun · 18/10/2020 15:46

Self catering and outdoor pursuits are the lowest risk situations. Getting on a bus or ferry from the central belt outwards is not on really and people were asked to keep off public transport unless necessary eg for work or education.

A large proportion of kids have been away from school so I guess they are hoping that together with the restrictions has all together slowed transmission.

We've been nowhere so I have no particular axe to grind.

Original poster
sweetkitty · 18/10/2020 15:48

I know 4 families who decided after the announcement to go on holiday, last minute Air BnBs, oh we’ve decide to take our camper van along the NC500 then moaning it’s busy, going to their caravan on Arran etc and that’s just me don’t think all that was essential travel.

The hill walkers moaning the hills are too busy and you can’t get parked and there’s too many people Confused

OP posts:
rookiemere · 18/10/2020 15:53

Unfortunately a lot of coronavirus restrictions come with many unintended consequences e.g. close restaurants and pubs at 10 and public transport becomes rammed at that time when it was fine before. Thus it wouldn't take a genius to work out that if you close everything in the central belt but don't impose any actual traffic restrictions, then obviously people are going to travel and go somewhere else.

We have and actually no I don't feel particularly guilty about it. Our numbers in Edinburgh were just fine until Government and universities decided it was a good idea to let all the students start - not blaming the students btw. We were going to stay home and do things locally, but as the majority of attractions have now been closed, that would have been less enjoyable. We're self catering and mostly doing things outside in a quiet part of the Lake District.

I would have been reasonably supportive of a two week full lockdown for all of Scotland to coincide with half term, as I would really like schools to stay open, but this half way house isn't going to achieve much and I think it will be a long and bleak winter regardless if I go away or not, so I'm doing what's best for my family.

Gingerkittykat · 18/10/2020 17:39

I live just outside the central belt zone (5 miles and I go shopping etc in the area with higher restrictions). I agree people don't seem to be following the restrictions at all. I think it needs to be a full lockdown or nothing, mind you I don't know if people would follow a strict lockdown either.

Most of the new cases seem to be in universities and schools, I support a pub closure since people don't socially distance when they are drunk but I've seen groups of people out drinking in the street so it all seems pointless.

RaspberryCoulis · 18/10/2020 17:44

We left the central belt and went away. South of the border, self catering, driving. Not mixing families. We walked on beaches, went geocaching, went to a national trust massive estate, ate out in a deserted restaurant and had a lovely time.

I dont feel guilty, or selfish, or whatever else. Our trip was exceptionally low risk - and I can assess risk myself.

It was certainly a lot less risky than getting on a train knowing we had tested positive for covid.

RaspberryCoulis · 18/10/2020 17:48

But none of the things mentioned in the op are actually against the rules?

No. But they are against the ROOLZ which people on MN love to pull out of thin air. Like the hour exercise, not biting Easter Eggs and whatever else they're dreamt up.

If you're nervous and don't want to leave the house then crack on. Let the rest of us assess our own risk and keep your sticky beak out of our business.

user1487194234 · 18/10/2020 17:48

It was not against the law to go on holiday at midterm so we went
I will obey the law but not all the extra made up things
Had a few days in a hotel last week ,fab ,and a week in a cottage next week
Have been working really hard and so enjoying the break

RaspberryCoulis · 18/10/2020 17:49

Not buying Easter eggs.

Although to be fair they'd probably have ROOLZ saying Easter eggs could only be eaten or bitten if doused in Milton first.

user1487194234 · 18/10/2020 17:50

The rules were only essential travel.
Not true
NS said they were not asking people to cancel their pre booked breaks

RaspberryCoulis · 18/10/2020 17:51

Why do you think travel is essential only, @sweetkitty ?

Happylittlethoughts · 18/10/2020 17:59

Pre booked holidays are allowed.
I know what I'm allowed to do ..sounds like you don't OP. Get your rule knowledge right before you turn grass

Torvean32 · 18/10/2020 18:15

@Ecosse

The 5 mile limit was only advisory in Grampian *@Torvean32*.

Travel restrictions based on totally arbitrary health board boundaries are bonkers anyway so I would fully support anyone not following them.

We cannot lock everyone in their houses indefinitely as some seem to want. If people want to go hillwalking outdoors, good for them. It’s an incredibly low risk activity in terms of transmission.

The 5 mile limit was not advisory. We were not allowed to leave for a trip to the central belt just for the sake of it.
Torvean32 · 18/10/2020 18:17

Current guidelines

Tourism
If you have booked a holiday during this period then you can still go - but you should only travel with and stay with people from your own or extended household group.

Goingdooolally · 18/10/2020 18:19

It’s not breaking the rules when you booked ages ago!

Our area of the central belt has hardly any cases. We’ve come to the Highlands and have been welcomed here. Local businesses have rubbished my concerns and are delighted we’re here (we’d booked outdoor activities). Family in a remote part are very happy for us to visit even though we gave them the option to opt out. So we’re meeting for a socially distanced walk and lunch in the local pub.

I’m so glad we came. We’re being considerate, socially distancing and wearing masks.

backaftera2yearbreak · 18/10/2020 18:23

Erm, our half term starts tomorrow. So the holidays don’t end tomorrow. And pre booked holidays are allowed 🤷‍♀️

Fluffmonkey82 · 18/10/2020 18:31

I admit I went away for the October week Mon-Fri, it was to a caravan in the Central Belt where I stay. This break was booked last year and I followed the advice that if you already had a holiday booked it was preferable you didn't go but it wasn't mandatory. I have worked all during lockdown and really needed a break so did my ASD child. We were in a self contained unit and followed all the rules regarding social distancing, wearing masks as we have been doing since lockdown.

randomsabreuse · 18/10/2020 18:58

We're central belt and because of location frequently go into 2 other health boards just to get to the rest of the county because the borders are weird. Only 1 of the 3 main routes (the least used one) actually stays in our health board!

I have swapped to shopping at the bigger Tesco in our health board (but have to drive through another health board to get to) from one on the next health board (which is actually closer)...

MadameBlobby · 18/10/2020 19:05

We are away for 3 nights in a caravan, we’ve either been in the caravan or outdoors way more than 2m away from anyone at all times 🤷🏼‍♀️ Booked it weeks ago and she said we didn’t have to cancel so 🤷🏼‍♀️

There are people clearly on the site in caravans with more than one household though

MadameBlobby · 18/10/2020 19:06

@Mistressiggi

I do wonder if I watch the same briefings as everyone else sometimes. She was absolutely clear that holidays in October did not have to be cancelled. This has left lots of people in the position that if they did choose to cancel they would not get anything refunded.
Exactly and Swinney clarified that on Good Morning Scotland the next day too.
weebarra · 18/10/2020 19:07

I suppose it's people who haven't pre-booked and are just heading off now. I'm in a high risk health board area but 20 minutes down the road is a low risk one. Lots of people are going there. People are going to the highlands. I'm sick of my own four walls. We've had three holidays cancelled this year. I get it.

Mrsjayy · 18/10/2020 19:25

I don't think anybody expects to cancel pre booked holiday s it is just people do seem to be flaunting the essential journey advice and going for days out and weekends out of area. It's like a rebellion a big f you

RaspberryCoulis · 18/10/2020 20:00

flaunting the essential journey advice and going for days out and weekends out of area

Or getting a train to London and back with a positive Covid diagnosis?