Service stations seating areas open?

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

Asking out of pure intrigue, not a complaint. I have to travel a fair distance to care for an elderly single parent (support bubble so allowed and definitely essential). It's a journey of about 3 hours so I do usually have to stop and use the loo. I'm very grateful that these facilities are open. Also can understand why food outlets are open for takeaway business. Those that I have stopped at have shared seating for all the takeaway businesses, none of which have been closed off during lockdown. I am intrigued as to why this is allowed whilst cafes and other takeaways aren't allowed to have even their outside seating open? As said, not complaining, but just wondering why it is alllowed?

It’s not rocket science. People at services are stopping because they have to have a break from their journey. It’s a bit different to a city centre cafe.

Well there is a risk associated with not allowing people to have a decent break when driving long distances. Car accidents kill too! Yes, many people are able to eat standing up etc, but without being able to sit and eat (somewhere other than the car) I imagine a lot of people would cut their rest break much shorter than normal. Drivers should not be discouraged from taking decent rest breaks.

That's my guess anyway.

I appreciate people need a break but by definition all have cars they can eat/drink in. But I can see that it does make sense for that reason.

Possibly because people aren't going to go to a service station for a social catch up and lunch.
It's probably more necessary to give drivers a break and to eat to lower chances of an accident?

Also as only a few people are allowed to travel at the moment, numbers would be significantly reduced.

Most people are likely to be lone travellers or travelling as a household. Most people would not want to be sharing a table with a stranger so transmission would be reduced.

It's not somewhere that oyu would go for a social get-together like a cafe/restaurant.

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

I appreciate people need a break but by definition all have cars they can eat/drink in. But I can see that it does make sense for that reason.

Eating in your car is not a proper break.

You do see larger groups sitting together though, particularly noticeable at Christmas when people were meeting up at service stations to exchange Christmas gifts. The tables in the place which prompted my OP weren't distanced enough for me to feel comfortable using them.

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

You do see larger groups sitting together though, particularly noticeable at Christmas when people were meeting up at service stations to exchange Christmas gifts. The tables in the place which prompted my OP weren't distanced enough for me to feel comfortable using them.

That’s a problem with enforcement then. Not the seating area being open.

I don't think that eating in your car is enough of a break. When I drive a long way (used to make journeys of 6 hours or so semi-regularly, but not at the moment) I need to spend time outside of my car to feel properly refreshed. Yes, stretching legs and going to the loo help, but I need a change of scene and to relax somewhere other than my car for 20 minutes as well. The drivers seat is the last place I want to be when my bum is numb and my neck aches from sitting there for hours:on end, I need 20 minutes in a different seat!

I'm no longer making those journeys because they are bot essential right now. But plenty of people do still have to make long car journeys, especially as they are an alternative to flying or getting the train.

People meeting up in service stations are exploiting a loophole and breaking the rules
That doesn't mean that the opportunity to rest properly should be taken away from those who genuinely need it!

If it makes you feel any better, I am sure no-one is enjoying themselves all that much...

Shivering away on a damp bench by a car park in January, probably in the rain, while trying to stop your lunch blowing away? Accompanied by the delightful sound and smell of motorway traffic?
Whoop-de-do!

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

You do see larger groups sitting together though, particularly noticeable at Christmas when people were meeting up at service stations to exchange Christmas gifts. The tables in the place which prompted my OP weren't distanced enough for me to feel comfortable using them.

Well maybe, but we weren't in lockdown before Christmas.

@redsquirrelfan I know but you still couldn't mix households inside

My DP is a lorry driver & it was hellish for him the first lockdown when these places were closed! He ended up barely eating or drinking as he wasn’t able to stop anywhere to get food or use a toilet for 4+ hours. These people can be on the roads for over 12 hours in some circumstances so it’s essential that they can take a proper break to stretch their legs & get some food without having to spend their breaks in a cramped cab that they’ve already spent 10 hours in

@Newmama29 I absolutely agree with them being open for toilets and to buy food and as you say to stretch legs. I'm sorry if that wasn't clear from my OP. My point was more about the seating areas being open when other cafes outside of service stations are closed. Especially the larger groups who aren't allowed together inside anywhere else (almost certainly more than one household in some cases) and the tables aren't as distanced in some areas as they were in bars and restaurants were open. I fully understand the need for drivers to have breaks.

@RockingMyFiftiesNot the seating areas still should be open so people can eat at a table & not be taking food back to cars/lorries. Most of the time these places are fast food, places like Burger King, greggs etc which are kinda messy. I know my DP is quite anal about having his lorry clean & tidy & would hate for it to be covered in crumbs & smelling of food for the rest of his shift. However, I agree with you that they need to be better spaced out & sanitised etc.

Can I thank posters for a sensible and pleasant debate in response to my OP- such a refreshing change to have people respond to a genuine question in a courteous way and help me see another point of view without any unpleasant comments. So different to too many other threads, particularly in this topic. Thanks again