We're still meant to be staying local, aren't we?

[Coronaconfoosion]

The reason I ask is because there's a couple i know who have been absolute sticklers for the rules the entire pandemic - lots of stay the fuck at home type posts, rants about Covidiots etc. They don't live together, in fact they live almost 100 miles apart with their respective elderly parents.

They have just posted a bunch of photos on Facebook of them out for a walk together in one of their home towns "now that they've both been vacinated". I'm confused. I thought we were still meant to be staying local, not driving 100 miles? I can't believe they of all people don't know this and am wondering if I've missed something (I really hope so!).

I won't say anything because,although I've stuck to the rules, I'm not a stickler and have quietly bent them slightly on occasion - for example driven a few miles outside what might be deemed local, but not 100! I'm also not the type who would grass on others. I also know that, if they have inadvertently bent the rules, they would be mortified at having it pointed out to them (I truly don't believe they would knowingly break the rules AND post it on social media hence my genuine question).

However, seeing this really makes me want to go on a day trip myself now as am bored shitless of my local area and am thinking that if they can do it then why can't I?

@06WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants We're all in England.

@confettiballoons

People are arseholes sometimes. Someone at Facebook posted a photo of people standing round a playground watching their kids with a sarky ‘have the rules changed then’ comment. And then a week later posted a photo of their new lockdown puppy 🤨

Whilst the Facebook comment sounds arsey, what on earth does the puppy have to do with it?

Ten miles is local! Nearest town for us, where we can do banking and shopping is ten miles away, in the next county. I went for a walk there this week after I’d done what I needed to in the town centre.

Whilst the Facebook comment sounds arsey, what on earth does the puppy have to do with it?
I thought that - perfect time to get a puppy I reckon, several friends have done just that!

I have never followed this - if I want to go for a walk in the country 10 miles from home but in another local authority I couldn't give a shit frankly.

You aren't confused though are you? You just want people to slag them off.

This! So sick and tired of the faux "is lockdown over?" "Are we allowed to do xyz now"

BOOOORING!

Yes of course 10 miles is local

Yes of course 10 miles is local
Afaik they never stipulated a distance but yes imho 10 miles could be considered local. I saw far less people (as in 2!) on the walk I did a 5 mile drive from home than if I walk from my front door (built up area).100 miles defo not local though!

Can somebody explain the difference between what you can and cant be fined for as I dont understand. There is somewhere I want.to go that isnt local but havent as i thought it was law

@BonnieDundee

Can somebody explain the difference between what you can and cant be fined for as I dont understand. There is somewhere I want.to go that isnt local but havent as i thought it was law

The "Stay local" thing is guidance not law, so really you shouldn't be fined for it. Especially as everyone's definition of local is slightly different. However there have been examples of people being fined for not acting in the "spirit of lockdown" and other such crap. I believe most (all?) Of these have been overturned but would still have been embarrassing and stressful for the people involved.

I would personally err on the side of caution and just wait the extra 2 weeks until the 29th March when the guidance to stay local no longer applies.

Of course if you can afford the fine you can do what you want anyway, just factor in that it might cost you £100 if you pay in so many days, or you could wait and see if it is overturned if you were doing nothing unlawful as local is just guidance anyway

The law is at www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374/schedule/3A/part/1

It stipulates that you must stay home unless it is "Reasonably necessary" to leave for one of a list of reasons. One reason is outdoor exercise. However, the opinion of the local police is it is not reasonably necessary to drive to a beauty spot to walk, given you can walk perfectly well from your front door. I know this, because there are regular reports in the local press of people who do so being fined.

I would find it really difficult to argue that it's reasonably necessary for me to drive 10 miles to walk the dog given I live on a footpath. It is, however, necessary for me to drive that sort of distance to work (NHS) and to shop (because there's nowhere closer).

So, boring as it is, I'm walking in my village til the 29th.

I suspect I'm in a minority.

@RosieLemonade

You aren't confused though are you? You just want people to slag them off.

This

Thanks for the clarity. I am so bored of my town but after the 29th it is. What I want to do is definitely not necessary

How can the police issue fines if it's not breaching the law though?

We're still walking and cycling from home. It's boring but saving petrol money!
Traffic is really ramping up here so I suspect more and more people are not following guidance.

Never mind stay local, I thought we were still under stay at home at the moment. Just that you can meet one person outside and don’t have to be exercising
Exactly STAY AT HOME still according to www.gov.uk/coronavirus

How can the police issue fines if it's not breaching the law though?
In England "stay at home" is the law NOT guidance.

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/8/pdfs/uksiem_20210008_en.pdf
This explains the various legislation.

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374/contents

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/8/contents/made

www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

@ExcusesAndAccusations some people would say its not essential to travel to collect a puppy