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Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

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Original poster

Confused re lifting of restrictions

29 replies

alittleconfusedinScotland · 15/04/2021 11:52

Hi I moved to Scotland just before lockdown to be closer to my DS. Ive not seem him since Xmas day so Im very excited that I will be able to see him soon. But I'm confused as to what we will soon be allowed to do. In particular in relation to travelling around.
As far as I understand I will be able to drive to see him and meet him inside in cafe go for a walk etc. But if he came to me (he's never seen our new house and can't drive) he will come by train and then get a bus or taxi to my house and then we can eat outside go for a walk etc. Or is he allowed in my car so I can meet him at the station thus saving time? If he's allowed in my car surely he might as well come in the house which I know he's not allowed to do (weird that its fine to meet inside in a potentially crowded cafe), as even though my car is quite big he cannot be 2 m away although he could wear a mask. It seems slightly contradictory but I dont want to break the rules.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 15/04/2021 12:16

Not supposed to car share unless necessary
Cafe shouldn't be crowded as they have to have distance between the tables

dementedpixie · 15/04/2021 12:17

If you do car share, he can sit in the back, both wear masks and have windows open to cause air flow

Lidlfix · 15/04/2021 12:58

I don't think cafes are "sit in" until the 26th. But as it all keeps changing I could be wrong.

dementedpixie · 15/04/2021 13:15

Yes cafes are still takeaway only just now

RaspberryCoulis · 15/04/2021 14:19

No you're not supposed to be meeting people inside at all. Outdoor hospitality doesn't open until the 26th April but it'd have to be a takeaway coffee on a park bench. You're also not supposed to be car sharing.

However what you're "supposed" to be doing and what you actually choose to do aren't always the same thing, are they? If you haven't seen your DS since Christmas, then I'd be seeing him inside. Call it a bubble.

dementedpixie · 15/04/2021 14:50

From the 26th there will also be indoor hospitality but without alcohol. You can get served alcohol if outdoors.

pubs, cafes and restaurants will reopen outdoors for groups of up to six people from up to six households with alcohol in line with local licencing laws, and indoors for groups of up to six people from up to two households without alcohol until 20:00

emmathedilemma · 15/04/2021 15:08

From Friday (16th) you can travel within Scotland but can't stay over. You can then meet up to 6 people from 6 households outdoors. Cafes remain takeaway only but outdoor seating is now open.
From 26th April more pubs and restaurants reopen with non-alcoholic drinks served indoors and alcohol outdoors.
If I were you I would go to him so he doesn't have to use public transport.

Original poster

alittleconfusedinScotland · 15/04/2021 16:27

I’m planning this for the 26th I’m so excited I’m organising it in my head now. Neither of us drunk alcohol!
Can I form a bubble with him neither of us live alone?
With regard to sitting in a cafe surely if I can sit at a table in a cafe with him we won’t be two metres apart it’s no more of a risk eating indoors in my house.
So you think from the 26th he can come in my car with a face mask on and the windows open? This would reduce his travelling time by an hour and mean he could get to me and back in a day.
Anyway we will stick with the rules as we are very law abiding I just want to make sure I’m interpreting them correctly.

OP posts:

midgedude · 15/04/2021 16:42

You can't bubble if neither of you are living alone

The idea behind houses being different to cafes is that people spend longer in houses , you'd rarely sit in a cafe more than an hour or two, and ventilation is less likely to be great

FeistySheep · 15/04/2021 16:48

I think that you are only supposed to car share if essential and no way around it. So if the purpose is for medical/grocery shopping etc and no public transport is available.
I'm not trying to tell you You Must Obey The Rules - I do it, but it's your choice what you do. But you said you wanted to know what the rules mean, and that's what I believe they mean.

Since your main aim is to see your DS, and you say you could do this by driving to him instead, why don't you do that first? Then when the rules permit car sharing, he can return the visit and see your house?

emmathedilemma · 15/04/2021 16:53

You can sit in a cafe less than 2 metres apart surrounded by strangers breathing the same air but you can't sit apart in your own home.....it doesn't make a lot of sense and I know which I'd rather do but them's the rules/ guidance. I think a lot of people are now making their own decisions based around risk on such matters!

Original poster

alittleconfusedinScotland · 15/04/2021 17:34

”You can sit in a cafe less than 2 metres apart surrounded by strangers breathing the same air but you can't sit apart in your own home.....it doesn't make a lot of sense”
It doesn’t make sense but hey ho we will abide by the rules. I’ll drive to him he was keen to see our new house and the location is very beautiful and peaceful he’s desperate to get away from the city for a few hours.

OP posts:

RedactedTaeFeck · 15/04/2021 19:11

I'm pretty rule abiding even though I think most of it is shit, contradictory and I'm able to risk assess myself. However, the things i want to do e.g. go for a meal are not possible yet and I don't really need or want to go anywhere else.

I have gone for a walk with two people instead of 1 and I shared my car for a 5 minute car ride with one of my walker people.

However, my student son is coming home for the weekend and was even before they lifted the travel restriction. He'll be travelling in his own car and staying with us and not doing anything else. We've all had covid and DH and I have had our first jag more than 3 weeks ago.

Personally, unless you have a particular risk or your son has been in a hospital/other covid hotspot, i'd just be doing what is sensible, if that means picking him up and having him in your house then I don't see the issue tbh.

Original poster

alittleconfusedinScotland · 15/04/2021 19:40

I’m fully vaccinated no significant risk factors apart from being middle aged he hasn’t come into contact with anyone except his girlfriend for months she does go to work he WFH he is very low risk. I do think the risk is actually greater having lunch inside a cafe with 20 other people social distancing or not than him coming to my large well ventilated house for lunch (we would sit outside if the weather was ok) and then going for a walk.
And getting on a bus/in a taxi must also logically present a great risk to him than my car.
This is why I’m confused and asking on here because I’m slightly struggling to see the logic in the rules and wondered if I’d misunderstood them.

OP posts:

midgedude · 15/04/2021 19:45

It's because it's not a personalised risk assessment, it's societal , with a dash of economics

The most likely place for getting infected seems to be in a domestic setting.

And if several settings have similar risks , you minimise total risk by only allowing some not all, and in that case allowing those with economic benefit makes sense for society

WaxOnFeckOff · 15/04/2021 19:47

The most likely place to be infected is in hospital or the workplace.

user1487194234 · 15/04/2021 21:08

@WaxOnFeckOff

The most likely place to be infected is in hospital or the workplace.

Totally agree with this

slightlyconfusedinScotland · 15/04/2021 21:32

*”It's because it's not a personalised risk assessment, it's societal , with a dash of economics

The most likely place for getting infected seems to be in a domestic setting.

And if several settings have similar risks , you minimise total risk by only allowing some not all, and in that case allowing those with economic benefit makes sense for society”*
I’m aware it’s all about the greater good rather than what would be safe for the individual hence saying above that I’ve been sticking to the rules.
Having recently come from England I personally think NS is doing a better job with Covid than BJ I can’t comment on her other policies etc. But in this case I’m think he’s right we’ve opened up restaurants cafes to outside dining only until the middle of May mind you we have opened up non essential retail.
Thanks for your thoughts I’m looking forward to meeting him on the 26th I’ll drive to his home hopefully if the weathers even only ok we sit outside and have a picnic.

Breathmiller · 15/04/2021 22:07

Is the reason you are not seeing him until the 26th is to do with travelling over council lines? Because that has been bought forward to tomorrow.

dementedpixie · 15/04/2021 22:08

You cant sit in a cafe/restaurant until the 26th though

slightlyconfusedinScotland · 15/04/2021 22:16

One or both of us is working everyday till then and we booked to get together on the 26th a ages ago only 11 days to go . I hope if anyone else on here is going n the same or similar boat that you’ll have a lovely time when you can finally meet up with you loved ones.

Breathmiller · 16/04/2021 08:25

Ahh. Yes, work getting in the way of social plans once again. . Bloody work!

I hope you enjoy when you do see your son. I see my daughters tomorrow. I can't wait.

emmathedilemma · 16/04/2021 09:32

There isn't any logic in a lot of the rules! From today we can meet 6 people from up to 6 households from anywhere in the country outdoors BUT people still can't cross local authority boundaries to partake in organised sport which has pre-booking, social distancing and a track & trace system in place!
If you're happy with the minimal risks of him being in your car then just do it. I fully intend to go and stay with my parents before it's technically permitted because they're fully vaccinated and like your son i work from home, can food shop online and will drive myself there.

Scottishskifun · 16/04/2021 10:37

Car sharing is only worded as should be avoided unless necessary. I would argue he's at greater risk from multiple transport options! Just have the windows down and get him to sit in the back.

Oh and your right there is little logic in the rules the more you look into the rules you realise this..... You can attend a wedding with 19 others (can be indoors) going up to 50 shortly but your son can't come in your house.....
Only difference being one is protected by human rights law the other isn't!

Enjoy your sons visit, do what feels safe to you if you're not comfortable then don't book a table at an outdoor seating bit if it makes you feel more comfortable

RaraRachael · 17/04/2021 13:27

I don't really understand how you can meet up with a friend (after the 26th) in a coffee shop but I can't invite that friend into my house, where they could actually be sitting further away from me in my living room than at the coffee shop

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