Are ramblers exempt from the rule of 6?

[Reesewitherknife]

I am in a county which went into high alert at the weekend.
Every Tuesday on my way to work I drive through a local town and always see a group of ramblers, usually around 20 or so, people in their 60’s/70’s.
Today, I noticed that the group was almost double, there must have been at least 40 of them (none of them were socially distancing).
I am so confused by the rules which are obviously changing weekly but it seems unfair that a group this large can appear to get together weekly but my family can not visit my elderly parents, my mum has Alzheimer’s and they need our help.

Can’t you visit your mum under “giving care”? (Or whatever it’s called). As for the walking group - probably against rules but I don’t think walking outdoors is high risk so I’d leave them to it.

Maybe it would help to know there is provision in all tiers for helping a vulnerable person.

Yes, there's information on the Ramblers website which explains that 'organised outdoor physical activity is exempt from the rule of 6'.
www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer-zone/coronavirus.aspx?utm_source=Chairs+%26+Secretaries+March+Update&utm_campaign=4833a2f0b4-Coronavirus+-+guidance+for+volunteers&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3b89ec9bef-4833a2f0b4-49837360

I am a Ramblers member and was advised that they are exempt and can have walks with up to 30 people. Most leaders I knew operated on a number of 10-12 maximum as they didn’t feel comfortable with large numbers. On the whole most groups have drastically reduced walks. I find it tends to be the older Ramblers or Long Distance Walkers Association who are fixated on meeting up in large numbers.

If they are part of an organised sport then they will be allowed to meet up. I'm not up to speed with hikers but running clubs can meet as they have a governed track & trace system, risk assessments etc, although depending on the level of restrictions in the area group sizes will still be limited, and they might be required to socially distance while training.

I get emails from a walking group I went to once and this is why they said re covid-

📣 Coronavirus Update 📣

Ramblers and Walking for Health group walks are exempt from the latest restrictions on social gatherings in England as we have met the necessary protocols outlined by Sport England and put extra safety measures in place.

Group walks can continue for up to 30 people as long as they follow guidance on how to restart walks in a COVID-secure way. We're here to support those who want to walk together – but there’s no pressure to restart group walks if you don't feel ready

Your family can go and visit your mum if she has Alzheimer’s and needs caring for..?

A friend organises Ramblers walks and she is fastidious about social distancing amongst the group. She limits the numbers too, I can't recall to how many, but definitely not 40. Are you sure this is a Ramblers group? My town has an unofficial walking group, sounds like it could be something like this?

If you provide care for your parents then you are permitted to visit them.

Of course that group may not have been an official Ramblers group but it was most definitely more than 30 this week whoever they were!
I currently don’t do a lot of caring for my mum, my 80 year old dad does that but he is struggling so I will need to go in much more but good to know my sister and I can help without breaking the rules.

I feel really frustrated that it hasn't been worked out clearly enough that there is provision for people who are struggling.
The list of people classed as vulnerable is huge and not exhaustive. Over 70s already on it for example.

I feel so sad that families are being prevented from being able to provide care out of a belief they'd be breaking the law.

Sorry that should have said spelled out clearly.

Serves me right from getting to multitask