Exchange of presents

[SweetPeaPods]

Sorry another covid post...
I live 300 miles away from family- them in Scotland and me in the Midlands.
We usually catch up at new year instead of Christmas but due to the dates for families allowed to meet, and my mum in high risk group we have decided not to this year.
My sister was wondering whether we could meet half way one day in December, at a motorway services, supermarket car park etc to exchange gifts. I have no idea if this is something that would be allowed? Would she be allowed to travel over the border into England and then drive back?

Would it not be better to use a courier and send in advance?

I'm happy to do this but my sister would rather not.

What's wrong with the post?

Have u already bought the presents or could you get them delivered to each other directly?

I have no idea if this is something that would be allowed? Would she be allowed to travel over the border into England and then drive back.
Why don't you know? Your DM should know the rules for her region? Google is your friend.

What you need to do is look up the rules for Scotland. You will easily discover that travel between Scotland and England is not allowed.
www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-travel-and-transport/#travelbetween

So, the quick answer is no. Your DM cannot travel between Scotland and England.

I have no advice, but I'm in a very similar situation and have been wondering the same thing!

Not sure about the Op, but in my case I've been doing my best to support my local businesses when getting presents - so direct delivery isn't available.

Courier is possible, but would probably be more expensive than the tank of fuel. Not to mention that involving more people might just add to the risk for everyone involved.

And what about if you're either coming from, or travelling to, a tier 3 area. It's all as clear as mud, isn't it?

Thank you @Spirael agree it's not as clear as some people are making out. Most gifts have been purchased already, some very heavy or fragile. Financially my sister would struggle with the courier fees but her fuel is covered with a company car.
It's not about the adult gifts, I'm thinking more for the kids gifts, so they don't miss out.

Personally I would buy something else which isnt heavy or fragile and post/courier the items. Keep the other items for birthday or return them. Driving 300 miles to hand over presents seems mad to me.

This pandemic has highlighted to me how most people have no common sense.

Op I'd meet your sis, the Scottish rules are bonkers.

What's the difference between you driving and a courier ?

@Potager funny it's highlighted to me how rude some people can be

@Bikingbear

Op I'd meet your sis, the Scottish rules are bonkers.

Yes they are! It's really difficult to work out what you can and can't do. Surely me meeting my sister in a car park is 'safer' than me inviting all my family into my house!

I'm not trying to break any rules hence the post. Just wondering whether it was feasible. I have stuck by the rules from the beginning, and the reason we are not all meeting at new year is because we recognise covid is serious. But sometimes the rules are a little unclear.

@Bikingbear
You seriously can't see how having one courier transport 50+ parcels is less risky than 50 people transporting one parcel each. Not only that but couriers should have procedures in place to enable contactless collections and deliveries in the way that individuals would not.

Hey OP,
Kind of a similar situation to you in that my family are in Scotland and I’m in the North East. I’m just waiting for the travel restrictions to be lifted and then heading up to give gifts (I’ll just be dropping all at my mums to ensure I only meet with one other household)

Can’t you perhaps meet your sister on the 23rd/24th when the travel restrictions will be lifted and you won’t be breaking any rules on either side?

[quote StatisticalSense]@Bikingbear
You seriously can't see how having one courier transport 50+ parcels is less risky than 50 people transporting one parcel each. Not only that but couriers should have procedures in place to enable contactless collections and deliveries in the way that individuals would not.[/quote]
A delivery guy with 50 boxes will be going to a depot and seeing probably 4 or 5 people.

Op is one person seeing one person. If they are planning to meet at a service station they risk of one of them giving the other covid is probably pretty low.
Legally they'd be able to see each other at Christmas but other things are in the way of the window.

So really how is it any more risky than either seeing family at Christmas and it not like nobody crosses the border.

They could probably legally meet in Gretna but not south of the border. Scotland rules are so complicated and inconsistent.

Personally, I'd be worried about leaving it until the 23rd/24th December for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, I have a fear the roads are going to be an absolute nightmare on those days. Issues with public transport will force reliance on cars. If lots of people decide to go ahead and travel to meet with family for Christmas, it could be chaos.

Secondly, that's a very small window to try and choose the best driving conditions. I have memories of making a long journey on Christmas Eve a decade ago in driving sleet and black ice. Would rather avoid that if possible and pick a day earlier in December, when driving conditions are favourable!

@Spirael

Personally, I'd be worried about leaving it until the 23rd/24th December for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, I have a fear the roads are going to be an absolute nightmare on those days. Issues with public transport will force reliance on cars. If lots of people decide to go ahead and travel to meet with family for Christmas, it could be chaos.

Secondly, that's a very small window to try and choose the best driving conditions. I have memories of making a long journey on Christmas Eve a decade ago in driving sleet and black ice. Would rather avoid that if possible and pick a day earlier in December, when driving conditions are favourable!

You’re completely right, this is what I keep coming back to- how busy the roads will be. I’m not sure whether to drive up super early on the morning of the 23rd or take my chances and drive up on the evening of the 22nd.

What do people think the chances of being caught driving from NE England to Scotland would be outside of the relaxed restriction window?!

What do people think the chances of being caught driving from NE England to Scotland would be outside of the relaxed restriction window?!

Virtually no chance, thousands of people cross the border daily for shopping, work however have your reason ready just incase. Nobody can argue with MH, "I / DSis was depressed and feeling suicidal a coffee in a services is to help her keep going"

Or I was getting really worried about her she sounded down and depressed on the phone. So though a bit of face to face time would help.

I’ve just posted special delivery our in-laws presents.

@HappyDaze90

Hey OP, Kind of a similar situation to you in that my family are in Scotland and I’m in the North East. I’m just waiting for the travel restrictions to be lifted and then heading up to give gifts (I’ll just be dropping all at my mums to ensure I only meet with one other household)

Can’t you perhaps meet your sister on the 23rd/24th when the travel restrictions will be lifted and you won’t be breaking any rules on either side?

@HappyDaze90 not really. DH is working so I would have to take the DC with me, plus the roads will be crazy I imagine.