Long distance walks under new lockdown guidelines

[bjornsether]

Hello! I am hoping to start a conversation about how the new lockdown guidelines released today affect long distance walking.
I am hoping to walk a large part of the South West Coast Path here 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. 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?
Thanks much!

[gunwharfman]

It's a bit too early to know yet, Mr. Johnson hasn't even opened his mouth yet and the media is already (and for days past) just want him to be like their ventriloquist's dummy! Mind you they are also playing their own games by leaking snippets in advance.

[Peak]

We'll soon be finding out, fingers crossed.

[bjornsether]

OK. I am reading from today (gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home), 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.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?

[pdstsp]

Sounds about right - there seems to be some lessening of restrictions from 29 March when we can, but shouldn't, travel.  Then from 12 April, all being well, we can travel and go on self-catering holidays.

[jimbob]

And don't forget the very important bit,
 Yes, you can meet up with  another BUT you must remain socially distanced from them.
Edited to add.
Why don't you pop into the welcome area and introduce yourself properly otherwise it looks like you've just joined the forum to resurrect previous conversations. 

[bjornsether]

Odd that there are two dates: 29 March and 12 April. I suppose they are just making space for the school holidays?

My thought is that solo walking and wild camping (where allowed) pose infinitesimal risk. So I am keen to engage in this at the earliest opportunity. Sounds like that is 29 March.

Agreed?

[gunwharfman]

Could my 'local area' in terms of the world that I live in be interpreted for me as the United Kingdom?

[harland]

Could my 'local area' in terms of the world that I live in be interpreted for me as the United Kingdom?

So long as you don't mind everyone else in the UK descending upon Portsmouth to spread the virus, infecting the locals and filling up the hospitals/mortuaries.

[Peak]

Bjornsether
Odd that there are two dates: 29 March and 12 April. I suppose they are just making space for the school holidays?

My thought is that solo walking and wild camping (where allowed) pose infinitesimal risk. So I am keen to engage in this at the earliest opportunity. Sounds like that is 29 March.

Agreed?


I was waiting for April 12, but I now agree with you on March 29

[harland]

From March 29, there will be no limit on how far you can travel to meet people. Whereas before exercise had to be undertaken locally, you can now drive a little further afield. Although people will still be strongly encouraged to minimise travel, there will not be punishments if you drive a few hours for a meet-up outside, then returns that day.  

Camp sites hope/planned to be open from 12 April.

[richardh1905]

12th April is the date that self contained holidays will be allowed, which for me will be the green light for wild camping. Until then, we are not meant to be spending nights away from home.

[gunwharfman]

Harland, they are here every weekend strolling along the seafront. I keep well away.

[richardh1905]

Camp sites hope/planned to be open from 12 April.

...but only for those with self contained facilities eg glamping huts with their own bathroom, campervans with toilet etc, as the general shared facilities will remain closed. That is my take on it, anyway.

[Peak]

There's going to be a lot of us wild camping on 12 April, let us us all take a beer and raise it at midnight on the 11th.