Rules on driving between cities in lockdown

[user1465146157]

My 75 year old MIL is in a support bubble with us, so even though nurseries are open, I've kept our toddler off since 4th Jan to keep my MIL safe from risk.

It was a big decision as it means DS won't benefit from nursery and is stuck indoors.

Now nursery have said that if he doesn't return we'll lose our funded place so now have to think about how to get my MIL back to her own house and break our bubble. It's hard as now she'll be alone.

As she lives in a different city, it's either a train journey (not ideal) or I drive her, but I'm not sure we're allowed to drive if it's not local?

Does anyone know what the rules are on this? I read that if I'm helping a member of my bubble its okay, but just want to check as last thing we need is a fine.

All I'd do is get in the car, drive her home (it's about 4 hours) make sure the heating is on etc, and then leave to come back to my house. Is this legal?

thanks in advance

Yes under "travelling for caring or medical reasons" etc.

It's an exceptional one off what choice do you have?

I think you are exempt because she is in your support bubble. Up until the point you or her form a different bubble then it wouldn't be allowed, but I assume that hasn't happened yet so it's ok.

Meeting others and care
You can leave home:
• to visit people in your support bubblee_ ( if you are legally permitted to form one)
• to provide informal childcare for children under 14 as part of a childcare bubblee_ (for example, to enable parents to work, not to enable social contact between adults)
• to provide care for disabled or vulnerable people
• to provide emergency assistance
• to attend a support group (of up to 15 people)
• for respite care where that care is being provided to a vulnerable person or a person with a disability, or is a short break in respect of a looked-after child.

You can tell nursery that MIL who is staying with you has symptoms but won’t take a test, so you are all isolating for 10 days, that would buy you more time.

Yes you can drive her home, but should do so without stopping (other than at her house for the toilet and a quick drink) if at all possible and you must consider her as part of your bubble for 14 days after last contact.

Mil is support bubble so you can stay overnight if necessary.

Challenge the nursery first on shielding vulnerable family member.

@BlackeyedSusan
The nursery are entirely correct in their position. They do not get paid if the OPs child is not in attendance and would not be able to survive if more parents acted in this way. If the OP would like to privately pay for her space there is a lot more flexibility but as she is using taxpayers money to fund her space she must follow the rules of the scheme she is benefitting from.

Thanks all for your advice, appreciate it, just good to talk it through as it's quite a specific story.

For the record @StatisticalSense - I have paid in full privately throughout DS's time there but am now entitled to the 30 hours free now he's 3. I agree with the nursery's stance on this and haven't questioned it, but I'm not 'acting' in any way, I have kept him off for good reason, protecting an elderly family member, in these extremely unprecedented times. I'm not trying to swindle anyone by 'acting this way' and if anything would prefer he was in nursery, as everything would be easier.

I'm sure it wasn't meant badly, just sometimes tone means everything on here, especially when everyone is stressed out already.

appreciate your comments and advice.