Read on Twitter
1. “Stay local” is in the guidance not the law
2. “Local” is not even defined in the guidance and could encompass a fairly wide range of distances (a mile walk to a park or a 5 mile drive? Time or distance?)
3. The reported story suggested a disproportionate police response https://twitter.com/nca_lynneowens/status/1348215504155123712
2. “Local” is not even defined in the guidance and could encompass a fairly wide range of distances (a mile walk to a park or a 5 mile drive? Time or distance?)
3. The reported story suggested a disproportionate police response https://twitter.com/nca_lynneowens/status/1348215504155123712
If the Government so wished, it could put in place a limit on distance from home for exercise. In France it was about 5km. It has not done so. There is therefore at present some discretion and common sense to be applied.
People may feel for example that going to Richmond Park where it is heaving with others and the car parks overflowing isn’t terribly safe vs driving out a bit further to be away from people.
Obviously, swamping beaches and beauty spots like we saw in summer needs to be avoided. Much as I would hate it, if the government really does think it strictly necessary to limit distance traveled for (or as part of) exercise, it should legislate accordingly.
That legislation must be clear, and well defined. The current position of police unlawfully enforcing guidance not reflected in law is unhelpful for both police and public. It would also reduce the sniping from bystanders keen to criticise the (lawful) actions of others.
The reality is looking like restrictions for the long haul. Especially as current vaccination rates are nowhere near where they need to be (cf @Greg_Callus thread on this). Clarity and the least restrictive measures necessary strike me as of fundamental importance now.
(PS Least restrictive doesn’t mean no lockdown. A lockdown is obviously necessary - but we should not go beyond what’s necessary in pursuit of the legitimate aims here. Just to make that clear before I’m accused of being anti-lockdown or of killing people.)
