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Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines


Postby bjornsether » Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:41 pm

Hello! I am hoping to start a conversation about how the new lockdown guidelines (released today) affect long distance walking.

I am hoping to do a couple of weeks in March, but only if that is legal. I would be solo the entire time, would have my entire kit with me (so always sleeping outdoors), and would not expect to come into close contact with others. More extensive precautions would also be possible, i.e., no resupply (carrying all two weeks of food with me at once), and no contact there or back (driving to the start point and making a loop).

My understanding is that this kind of activity has been prohibited throughout January and February (since the third lockdown began).

What does everyone know about restrictions during March?
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby bjornsether » Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:05 pm

OK. I am reading from today (on gov dot uk), scroll down to "From 8 March") that from 8 March


"you will be allowed to spend time in outdoor public spaces for recreation on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This means you can sit down for a drink or picnic. You must continue to maintain social distance from those outside your household. This is in addition to outdoor exercise, which is already permitted. . . . No further significant changes will be made on 8 March and restrictions requiring you to stay at home will remain in place."


It seems as though the new regulation will ONLY allow mixing with one other person and will NOT change the regulation that you may "not travel outside your local area" to do it. But then why does the "from 8 March" guidance not include an addendum like "you can sit down for a drink or picnic . . . as long as you do not travel outside your local area"? Here are the current regulations, posted on gov dot uk's guidance (applicable at least until 8 March):


Under "When you can leave home": "You must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. This is the law. The police can take action against you if you leave home without a ‘reasonable excuse’, and issue you with a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice). . . . A ‘reasonable excuse’ includes: . . . You can continue to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area."


And under "Exercising": "You should minimise time spent outside your home, but you can leave your home to exercise. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area. . . . Public outdoor places include: parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests . . ."


Looks like those regulations will stay intact, most importantly the "not travel outside your local area" instruction.


Does this sound correct?
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby prog99 » Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:16 pm

bjornsether wrote:OK. I am reading from today (on gov dot uk), scroll down to "From 8 March") that from 8 March
Does this sound correct?

Thats the english not scottish legislation.
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby bjornsether » Mon Feb 22, 2021 8:39 pm

Right. Boris said that they were "working closely" with Scotland etc., but I'm not sure when those regulations come out.
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby KatTai » Mon Feb 22, 2021 8:45 pm

Scot Gov are announcing their framework tomorrow.
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby fhaggis » Mon Feb 22, 2021 9:19 pm

Confirmed Scottish road map here

https://twitter.com/sacha_lord/status/1363881167674605570?s=21

For step 2, 12th April it just says minimised travel, no foreign travel.

Always do my long distance walk at the start of April so I’m hoping i can then but not looking great, I’m guessing they might relax travel within Scotland after Easter holidays?
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby prog99 » Mon Feb 22, 2021 9:42 pm

fhaggis wrote:Confirmed Scottish road map here

https://twitter.com/sacha_lord/status/1363881167674605570?s=21

For step 2, 12th April it just says minimised travel, no foreign travel.

That looks like the english one to me.
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby rgf101 » Tue Feb 23, 2021 8:07 am

I think generally the government guidance/laws never really covered wild camping, it's just too niche. If you wait a while, folk like Mountaineering Scotland and the national parks authorities will come up with an interpretation.

Looking at the roadmap for Scotland [edit: or is it, sorry, was reading quickly], I'd say you could argue Step 2, self-contained accommodation, would allow wild camping.
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby WalkWithWallace » Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:53 am

Scottish road map to be released later today, we'll hopefully have a better idea then. :?
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby Paul Webster » Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:54 am

In both England and Scotland, the current law is to "Stay home" except for specified exceptions - the exceptions for exercise/recreation don't include overnight stays.

In England this is expected to change on 12th April, Step 2. Logically, wild-camping is self-contained accommodation.

As several have said, the road map for Scotland is being announced today (everything above in this thread is England guidance).

So unless they are radically different, it looks like there'll be no legal long distance walks in March - only day walks (within travel restrictions) are possible at the moment.
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby Paul Webster » Tue Feb 23, 2021 3:36 pm

The Scottish statement has now been made.

Basically, we are staying in level 4 until 26th April. [corrected]

At that point it is hoped that all Scotland will be moved to Level 3 restrictions. However, under Level 3, there is still no travel for more than 5 miles outside your local authority area. Such travel needs level 2 or lower, and the next review would be after 3 weeks - i.e. 19th May is best case for any wider travel.
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby malrobb » Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:25 pm

HI Paul,

The BBC reporting that the Stay at Home restrictions poised to end on 05 April.

Phase 1 (yesterday) early learning and childcare and schools open for Primary 1-3 pupils and senior phase pupils for essential practical work. Limited increase in the provision for vulnerable children. Care homes opening to facilitate meaningful contact between relatives/ friends and residents.

Phase 2 (unlikely before 15 March) - More school reopening - Non-contact outdoor group sports for 12-17 year olds. Socialising rules eased, to allow outdoor meetings of 4 people from 2 households.

Phase 3 - (at least three weeks later - possibly 5 April) Stay-at-Home requirement removed. Third and final phase of schools reopening if required. Places of worship can open on a restricted numbers basis. Essential retailers list expanded slightly and click-and-collect resumes for non-essential retail.

Phase 4 - possibly 26 April) Limited other easing within Level 4, including permitting non-essential work in people’s homes. Return to variable Levels approach. This will enable the graduated opening up of economic and social activity.
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby Paul Webster » Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:35 pm

Sorry, that is correct (and the original post has been edited). But sadly doesn't help with any wider recreational travel. Arguably it might permit wild camping in your own local authority - will see if any clarity on that, but probably not helpful for most people.
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby Alex W » Tue Feb 23, 2021 8:22 pm

There is a contradiction in the Scottish announcement. "Stay ay home" ends (5th April), but we are not back into the levels system until 26th April which means travel outside own LA area is still banned. 26th April means probably moving into Level 3 within which travel outside LA area is still banned. So mid May before any access to any high mountains unless you are lucky enough to have them in your area.

And as far as I can see, your walk still needs to start and finish at the same place. So point to point walks such as National Trails still banned until mid May.
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Re: Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

Postby AyrshireAlps » Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:36 pm

. think generally the government guidance/laws never really covered wild camping, it's just too niche. If you wait a while, folk like Mountaineering Scotland and the national parks authorities will come up with an interpretation.

Looking at the roadmap for Scotland [edit: or is it, sorry, was reading quickly], I'd say you could argue Step 2, self-contained accommodation, would allow wild camping.
rgf101


I'd agree, usually things are clarified a few days after each announcement, wild camping and long distance walks are way down the government's priorities.
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