Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Travelling between tiers in Scotland. Should I? Can I?

32 replies

ApolloandDaphne · 29/10/2020 15:57

I am just trying to think what to do here. I am in a Tier 2 area as is my DM. A while back we booked tickets to go to a museum to see a particular exhibition and go for lunch within the museum. The area the museum is in is now in a Tier 3 area. Our planned visit is next week.

The plan was DM would get a bus and I would drive there. We don't plan to go anywhere else while we are there. The Scottish government seems to be saying we shouldn't travel between tiers except for work/school/caring which obviously this isn't but it seems very low risk to me.

There is a long back story leading up to this visit which is making me keen to go. I am generally very much someone who sticks to the rules. My DM is very keen to go too.

Should I go? Can I go?

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 29/10/2020 16:09

This from the Scot gov website. no non-essential travel to/from level 3 or higher areas in Scotland and equivalents in rest of UK
I think we're being asked not to do this, as it's not one of the essential reasons to travel. But, everyone seems to interpret the guidelines to suit themselves. If your DM is happy to use public transport to visit a museum and have lunch with you despite the area being in level 3, I doubt anyone else's opinion really matters.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 29/10/2020 16:16

I think you are not supposed to go based on the guidance. I'm a total goody-two-shoes about rules, and personally wouldn't, but the museum aren't going to ask you to show proof of address, so....

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 29/10/2020 16:18

Actually, I just re-read that your mum was going to take a bus. I would go out of my way to avoid public transport at the moment unless it was absolutely critical.

Srictlybakeoff · 29/10/2020 16:20

I wouldn’t let my dm take public transport for the sake of going to a museum regardless of the rules ( which you old be breaking)

Original poster
ApolloandDaphne · 29/10/2020 16:21

Hmm. Maybe I should offer to go and get her. Although that adds quite a lot onto my journey. And I shouldn't actually have her on my car at all. She is more than happy to stick her mask on and her the bus. I will sound her out.

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 29/10/2020 16:25

hmmm.....tough one, because if you were going on holiday and staying a couple of nights then that seems to be more acceptable than going for a day trip.....
It's advice not the law #justsaying

Brainwashed · 29/10/2020 17:56

I think it's not just about not travelling between different tiers though. My understanding is you shouldn't be travelling outside your local council area unless essential. So we are in tier 3 but not allowed to travel 25 miles to Edinburgh which is also tier 3. And the advice is most definitely to avoid public transport

Justmuddlingalong · 29/10/2020 18:10

Car sharing amongst different households is also discouraged.

historyrocks · 29/10/2020 21:34

If by any chance you happen to be talking about the V&A in Dundee, I was there with DD a few weeks ago and it was very quiet. I’d go in you’re situation. (Dundee cases are quite a bit lower than some other tier 3 areas). But no way would I have my DM travelling on public transport, but she’s nearly 80.

Original poster
ApolloandDaphne · 29/10/2020 22:10

@historyrocks

If by any chance you happen to be talking about the V&A in Dundee, I was there with DD a few weeks ago and it was very quiet. I’d go in you’re situation. (Dundee cases are quite a bit lower than some other tier 3 areas). But no way would I have my DM travelling on public transport, but she’s nearly 80.
Yes. We would be travelling from Fife to the V&A. My DM is almost 80. This is her birthday treat from me. I am wondering if we might do it but I pick her up so she doesn't need to get the bus. She is very feisty and independent. She may be adamant about getting the bus!
OP posts:
SeaMayweed · 29/10/2020 22:19

It's pretty clear:

Level 2 - travel:

  • no non-essential travel to/from level 3 or higher areas in Scotland and equivalents in rest of UK
  • exemptions for essential travel for work, education, shopping health etc; outdoor exercise; weddings and funerals; shared parenting and transit through restricted areas

Trip to a museum from tier 2 to tier 3 is not essential travel.

MaxNormal · 29/10/2020 22:28

It's guidance not law. I'll be going where I wish.

rookiemere · 29/10/2020 22:29

I'd take her in the car with masks rather than her taking the bus.
Guidelines suggest you don't do the trip, but I probably would if your DM is comfortable with it.

MaxNormal · 29/10/2020 22:30

And definitely give your mum her 80th, but possibly not the bus at her age if she'll listen! I'd imagine that would be the one point in the day where it's hard to keep your distance and there's a risk.

MaxNormal · 29/10/2020 22:31

Also you could maybe get a test before going in the car with your mum if you're worried that you've had a lot of contact with people.

Original poster
ApolloandDaphne · 29/10/2020 22:34

@MaxNormal

Also you could maybe get a test before going in the car with your mum if you're worried that you've had a lot of contact with people.
I'm not going to get a test. I have no symptoms and I hardly mix at all. The last person I met up with was actually my DM!
OP posts:
toxtethOgradyUSA · 29/10/2020 22:35

It's quite simple OP: do whatever you can or wish to get away with without getting caught or fined.

Isadora2007 · 29/10/2020 22:36

Could she get a train? Very close to the V and A- faster and this reducing travel time.
As an aside- I spent over an hour in total in a car with someone not wearing a mask. I was wearing a medical mask the full time. I tested positive for covid the same day as that trip. He was a vulnerable person age and medical status wise- he did not catch Covid from me. Nor did the other two people with us- one wore a mask and the other didnt.
It has really made me see the importance of wearing a mask to protect others tbh.

Thermo · 29/10/2020 22:37

@toxtethOgradyUSA

It's quite simple OP: do whatever you can or wish to get away with without getting caught or fined.
It’s this attitude that’s got Lanarkshire in the mess it’s in
Dreeple · 29/10/2020 22:38

You can go to Bute, but not via Glasgow.

MaxNormal · 29/10/2020 22:39

@ApolloandDaphne That's even better then. I hope she has a lovely 80th with you.

bookishtartlet · 29/10/2020 22:42

I'm in Fife and would do this. I'm also not a rule breaker by habit.

historyrocks · 29/10/2020 22:48

The V&A was very well run when I was there recently, also very open and airy.

SeaMayweed · 29/10/2020 22:50

Yes it's guidance not regulation at the moment but being kept under review. Today the First Minister urged everyone to abide with the travel requests as it's one of the ways to sustain the differentiated approach and to avoid returning to national travel restrictions.

MaxNormal · 29/10/2020 22:58

I've rewritten what I wanted to say about the First Minister as it's very rude on a thread about someone's eightieth birthday but after seeing how she's completely shafting businesses I don't really care what she has to say.