The debate on whether or not people should be driving to undertake their daily exercise has been settled by the Government as a result of new guidance being issued today (Friday).
The Prime Minister announced on Monday that people could leave their homes once a day for exercise such as walking, running or cycling. However, many people have become confused as to whether or not this has to be carried out from the doorstep.
Many Islanders have been travelling around in their vehicles to go to a point of interest, such as a local beach or downland, whilst also using the trip out to have a nosy at what is – or isn’t – going on. This is non-essential travel and can now result in a £60 fine.
New guidance from the Government states that Island residents should stay local and use open spaces near to home where possible – do not travel unnecessarily. If you have a garden, make use of the space for exercise and fresh air.
Given the rural nature of the Island and the plentiful amount of open space, there is no reason those living on the Isle of Wight cannot undertake exercise from their home.
In addition, Islanders should only go outside alone or with members of the same household and keep at least 2 metres apart from anyone outside the household at all times.
Gatherings of more than 2 people in parks or other public spaces have been banned and the Police will enforce this.
Take hygiene precautions when you are outside and wash your hands as soon as you are back indoors
See the latest government guidance on social distancing.
The only people who should be travelling in their vehicles are key workers and those going to a local supermarket for a weekly shop.
Does this include dog walking? Some people have dogs that need a lot of exercise off lead but for a number of reasons do not live close enough to walk to open space that is safe to let them off. Can they not drive to this safe space to let the dogs have a run and get exercise themselves? Do you know what it’s like to have a young dog cooped up for 3 weeks or more without a good run? Advice appreciated.
Obviously you would follow the guidelines to keep apart from others which you wouldn’t usually see in these spots and drive directly there and back. Not sightsee!
One of the main reasons for non essential driving, is because of you have an accident on route or even while out walking, ie slipping and breaking an ankle. You would be stretching the emergency services more than they already are.
Yes Smithy. That includes dogs.
Most accidents occur in the home
There are lots of people who now get a lot less exercise than they would like, so why should your dog be different. Unnecessary driving creates a risk that you could have an accident that would mean using emergency services, recovery services etc so just walk from home and heed the instructions. Some people have not grasped the seriousness of this situation. By the end of this there will be a lot of chubby animals and people.
I know accidents can happen at any time but let’s get some perspective here.
Nobody has an accident every time they go out, many people only have one or two in their lifetime and some people never have one at all.
The same goes for walking about in the countryside – you are statistically far more likely to have an accident in the home than walking on a flat path.
Granted, the risk of an accident is higher if we all go about normally but then again, the risk of infection is higher if we are all cooped together in towns and cities.
Common sense needs to prevail and clear, reasonable, guidelines are needed to help people stay safe and sane.
Smithy this is exactly what I referred to in my post, please read, watch TV of Google for information you will see this is against Government guide lines & if caught carry’s a £60 fine for first offence then doubles for further offences so please for others safety & your bank account please read the rules!
It clearly states driving only for key workers and those for essential shopping. Nothing else. Unfortunately, at times like this you are not really allowed to let your dog run free. It is hard I know but we have to do it.
Afraid it does include dog walking we have had official confirmation
I guess my question is why, considering how viruses spread in a population?
With respect, the web link above doesn’t appear to give us up-to-date information – it takes you to a page that is dated 23rd March (5 days old) and doesn’t give the new, clear, detailed information as suggested above?
They need to spell out why. Which, as I understand it is ;– If you have an accident or malfunction you will drag in others ie Breakdown people, Police and probably NHS personnel who can ill afford the contact or the time.
I get the thing about breaking down or having an accident, but where I live I’m likely to see more people, the pavements are very narrow and I’ve experienced a few young people who seem intent on walking as close to you as possible. I want to do all the right things, but on this issue I can genuinely be safer by driving 5 minutes to the local seafront and see fewer people and have the option of crossing the road to keep a safe distance from anyone I see. To be seen to behave responsibly I’ll have to do what puts me (and also others) at most risk…
Finally someone with a inch of common sense. Thumbs up to you JHVF
How is it possible to go out only once for your weekly shop when the shelves are empty? My regime was a once a month main shop, with a small weekly top up of perishables. That’s 5 times a month.
Currently to get my normal main shop, I had to go 5 times in 12 days in hope of achieving. As much as I like Boris, does he do his own shopping?
That headline is incorrect.
The government advice stopped short of clarifying whether or not you could drive and, if so, how far (it was criticised on exactly that point)
It is the police who are saying don’t drive, or in Derbyshire, don’t leave your house at all – a restriction they have come to on their own.
There are clearly arguments for not driving – risk of an accident, running out of fuel, contact in car parks, etc. But, as the heated discussion over the ill-conceived Derbyshire video showed, there are cases where it can be a more sensible option.
This is why we needed proper clarification from the government and why they were criticised when they merely issued the vague “exercise close to home” which added little clarity.
Clearly everyone heading to the beach or driving from one side of the the island to the other isn’t sensible but then neither is forcing people to exercise where they will either come into contact with others or at least where others have recently been.
People are far more likely to follow rules if they make sense and far more likely to ignore those that seem excessive, unjust or don’t make sense.
Common sense, clarity and clear reasoning are needed rather than a big stick and threats.
Spot on Mark – the police here on the island would be better used to keep an eye on the ferry terminals and asking people why they’re here as they get off
Is the Government going to legislate that people coming to the Island at Easter to holiday homes and camping sites are going to be prosecuted and also what happens if tourists start to appear at St Mary’s Hospital for treatment when they are struggling already?? We need to start thinking about this as we .are sitting ducks for this virus to explode here and with an already high elderly population we need to be ready. I have emailed this to Bob Seeley and Isle of Wight County Press.
The government has legislated against all non essential travel on pain of fines and prosecution. All accommodation providers and parks have closed and travel firms have cancelled bookings. What part of that is difficult to understand exactly?
Some people don’t seem to be able to understand or they aren’t keeping up with what is happening before they rush into comment.
Not difficult to understand but many people are too stupid to comply
Dogs, dogs, ruddy dogs. Does anyone appreciate what it’s like being cooped up in a flat with 3 youngsters who can’t exercise??! Can’t get rid of their energy then can’t sleep and the toll that takes on their parent’s already stretched nerves! You wanted the dog, put up with it.
To be fair…you could say the same about the kids! You chose to have them!
Don’t have any. Just fed up with people with animals being so ruddy vocal and thinking they should take priority.
Well said John!
You wanted kids, deal with it.
Likely wanted the doo, de doos, and when discovered to be ‘with child’ knew the council would have to provide a flat, and HMG would pay for them all, and council tax and rent would be subsidised. They likely would have a dozen dogs, IF HMG (ie us tax payers) funded a ‘better life’ for the owner of too, just so long as someone else walked them and picked up their poo.
YOU bred it, YOU look after it.
It is hard for everybody but dogs just cannot understand what is going on.
Depending on their ages you can explain the situation to a child. It may be difficult to do it in a way that doesn’t frighten the younger ones but you are still able to talk to them.
You cannot do this with a dog – they won’t understand why they are being kept inside and may think they are being punished or worse. At the very least they will be confused and frightened.
If it helps, imagine what your children would feel like if you took away their favourite toys, locked them in a small room for weeks on end with a litter tray and didn’t explain why.
Are these people really that stupid to by now not know the Goverments rulings!
Is it self denial that this is a very important issue?
The only thing is in OUR favour that a major majority of us understand & follow these important rulings.
God help us if we all were so self centred & have no thoughts for others at the dangerous & I MEAN dangerous times.
Judging by the amount of traffic on my road I’m sure they are need looking into
what about skinny pedal pushers that ride for miles
You can cycle, so why shouldn’t you use your car? In a car you are isolated from other people, but on a bike you are not. A change of scene is as good a form of exercise as a walk.
I think I would rather follow government and police guide lines, than believe newspaper head lines. There has been no government up dates.
So you can drive to an off license to buy alcohol, coz apparently that’s essential , but people are being fined for walking in the middle of nowhere with nobody around, makes loads of sense having drunk idiots at home causing domestics wasting police time with next to no conviction rate , and now we seeing kids and low life scum coughing and spitting in people’s faces , if I have to go out I’d take the fine for driving over being around the filth that seems to be using Corona as a weapon
Want to just say that obviously many pet owners, and dog owners too, this virus can be caught by pets… and passed on… some dog owners want to let their dog off the lead in public spaces… what if that dog has the virus.. what about when that dog runs up to someone and licks their hand… or worse..
What part of contagious do you not understand?
How stupid are people ?
Dogs can’t get crona virus there is a slight risk if an infected person spits on the pavement and the dog walks on it then you cuddle the dog but thats a theoretical risk
We seen whats happen to Boris & the heath minster with all their advice, do you really want to end up like them.
All this 2 mtrs rule is a load of rubbish, as air born virus can travel 100’s of metres in the wind.
The highest risk now of catching this virus is at the supermarkets, a closed in area where people touch everything.
Going to a quiet area of the coastline is far safer than walking where other people are, even if it does mean a 10 minute drive.
Just use your own common sense and do what you think is safer for you.
It may also help if people only visit the supermarkets once every 3 days and not que up waiting for the stores to open.
I am a very high risk person and can’t afford to catch this virus, and take no advice from these who think they know it all.
Too little too late has been done by the government & councils to stop this virus reaching this small Island, now we all have to suffer.