Wales question

[Hapixmas]

Are we allowed to drive for exercise?! I also have some presents for a relative about 25 mins drive away, down a dual carriageway. Was thinking of dropping at the door..not sure if allowed?!

Nope!

Essential journeys only?

Exercise should be done from home (with exceptions for wheelchair users etc). You should only leave home for essential trips (delivering presents would not count)!

Damn..thanks all. I'm seeing so many pictures of people driving to beaches for winter walks and to the mountains when I know they don't live walking distance that I thought maybe I was in the wrong staying close to home.

I've also seen others driving to drop presents..

Okay. Plan B.

It’s all here

gov.wales/leaving-your-home-and-seeing-other-people-alert-level-4#section-58483

No to both unfortunately. We are driving a very short distance for a walk once in a while. Our immediate area is pretty busy so it's safer if anything.

Yeah we're not driving to any beaches or anything but just 5 minutes down the road to vary our surroundings and take us away from the very busy cycle path thats on our doorstep

Here's what it says on the official Govt website:

"There are no limits on the distance you can travel during exercise, though the nearer you stay to your home, the better. Your exercise should start and finish from your home and generally, this should not involve people driving to a location away from home."

gov.wales/leaving-your-home-and-seeing-other-people-alert-level-4

You cannot leave your home to drop off presents for a relative. That isn't one of the exempt circumstances.

Why don't you know the rules? Just look at Welsh Govt website. Google is your friend.

Thanks for all the messages. I will stay close to home.

@Calmandmeasured1 I'm not sure whether you meant your post to come across as a bit mean but there could be lots of reasons people don't know the rules.
I will explain my reasoning.
I live in England where they have 4 tiers, their tier 4 is also different to Wales tier 4. The rules change all the time, between lockdowns, firebreaks, tiers, it is hard to keep up with everything. Added to that there is guidance and then law, I don't know if I'm coming or going!

Oh and before anyone says, I am my parents support bubble in Wales. So from beginning of November to now I've gone from lockdown to tier 3 to tier 2 to tier 3 plus been in Wales for over a week now so trying to keep up with the rules is tricky! I've been trying to stay away from news as much as possible to give myself a break and I havent left my parents house since I arrived apart from once to the shop and the odd walk, leaving from their house. So until today, I havent needed the rules!

I think some people take the piss with 'support bubbles'.

@user1493494961

I think some people take the piss with 'support bubbles'.

Was that a dig at me or others? I can assure you I've stuck to the rules 100%. My parents are my support bubble and have been since after the initial first lockdown. I didn't see them for 5 months (February- July) because I was scared by the media. But then we decided to become each others support bubble. To be fair, I still don't see them that much and this is the first time I've seen them when either of us has been in a lockdown. But I suffer with my mental health so seeing them every couple of months helps. I don't have any other support bubbles nor do I go inside other people's houses or hug people. Sorry that you obviously disagree with support bubbles but for me, it was a lifeline.

I'm lucky in that I live about 1.5 hours away so I don't even have to stop on the way here.

I thought Mark Drakeford did say that we were allowed to drop Christmas presents off? Not entering people’s houses though.

I'm not sure whether you meant your post to come across as a bit mean but there could be lots of reasons people don't know the rules.
I will explain my reasoning.
I live in England where they have 4 tiers, their tier 4 is also different to Wales tier 4.The rules change all the time, between lockdowns, firebreaks, tiers, it is hard to keep up with everything. Added to that there is guidance and then law, I don't know if I'm coming or going!
No, I didn't mean for it to be be mean. I was also helpful and produced a relevant extract and the link for you to know where to look for the info.

I do believe that too many people ask on MN where there is often misinformation given. If you want correct information you need to refer to the government websites.

If you need to know about tier 4 rules then the best thing to do is Google 'tier 4 rules in England' and look for the government's website (not BBC or newspaper responses). They update them when things change and will have the date they apply from or date updated shown at the top of the page. Read and digest but also keep the tab open on your phone or PC in case you need to refer back to them.

Do the same with 'tier 4 rules in Wales' and have a separate tab for that.

We do know when changes to laws and rules are made so then update your tabs to the current rules. Simples.

But I suffer with my mental health so seeing them every couple of months helps.
I don't have any other support bubbles nor do I go inside other people's houses or hug people.
If you have mental health issues and need support, just ignore that poster's comment. If you are in a support bubble you are treated as one household so could probably see your parents more (subject to the Welsh rules allowing you in to Wales).

I have formed a support bubble with a relative with a mental health diagnosis and see them weekly and indoors and I hug them. The rules allow for that as they are classed as part of my household. I am extremely careful otherwise to give them as much protection as possible.

@user1493494961

I think some people take the piss with 'support bubbles'.
Which people are you referring to?

Thanks @Calmandmeasured1 I appreciate your input. I find it hard to differentiate guidance and law.
I know I could see my parents more, but every couple of months helps for me. I just felt I had to point it out to justify my position to those who don't agree with support bubbles. But I guess I shouldn't have to! I'm actually doing really well now but staying with them until next week as I've got some time off this week.

Just hoping things start to look up before long, months and months of restrictions are tough.

Don't feel you have to justify yourself to anyone. The Govt does recognise that some people need support. Enjoy your time with your parents and, yes, let's hope the Oxford vaccine will start being rolled out next week to start us on the journey back to normality.