Parents at risk - self isolating, outside walks allowed?

ad1927

They have been going for drives and walks in a place where there are no people, it's a local moors.  My theory is they should still be able to do this, but the Government are now saying people at risk should stay indoors (previously they encouraged people to carry on exercising).

silvercar

I'm encouraging my elderly parent to do the same. It is good for their mental well being and physically it can't be good to be cooped up all day.

neilmcl

ad1927 said:

They have been going for drives and walks in a place where there are no people, it's a local moors.  My theory is they should still be able to do this, but the Government are now saying people at risk should stay indoors (previously they encouraged people to carry on exercising).

Only those that are identified as needing shielding.

ad1927

neilmcl said:

ad1927 said:

They have been going for drives and walks in a place where there are no people, it's a local moors.  My theory is they should still be able to do this, but the Government are now saying people at risk should stay indoors (previously they encouraged people to carry on exercising).

Only those that are identified as needing shielding.

We're in Wales so I don't think letters are going out here.  Either way, we've taken the decision a week ago that my dad is at risk following a liver condition and the fact he is on warfarin.  Essentially, then, the advice would be to stay indoors?

silvercar

ad1927 said:

neilmcl said:

ad1927 said:

They have been going for drives and walks in a place where there are no people, it's a local moors.  My theory is they should still be able to do this, but the Government are now saying people at risk should stay indoors (previously they encouraged people to carry on exercising).

Only those that are identified as needing shielding.

We're in Wales so I don't think letters are going out here.  Either way, we've taken the decision a week ago that my dad is at risk following a liver condition and the fact he is on warfarin.  Essentially, then, the advice would be to stay indoors?

The advice for staying indoors was for specific groups, from memory it was those with cystic fibrosis, certain cancers, pregnant.
I didn't hear blood thinners specifically. 

calcotti

The people considered extremely vulnerable are identified here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

elsien

It's a strong recommendation but it's still their decision and they need to take their own particular circumstances into account when weighing up the risks, impact on mental health etc. The guidance says they should get a letter so they may find it helpful to discuss in more detail with their GP or other medical professional.

pinkteapot

As others have said, there's two levels now. Extremely vulnerable people are defined on the list posted above. In England at least, they're receiving letters this week to say stay indoors for 12 weeks. Vulnerable people are all the other people not in that category, but mentioned before - over 70 and/or wide range of medical conditions summarised as "anyone who gets called for a free flu jab by their GP". This larger 'vulnerable' group is strongly advised to observe social distancing while the general population is just advised to follow it.

Right now, it's all advice and there is no law stopping them going out. The government still says fresh air and exercise are important. Hubby and I are vulnerable, but not needing shielding. We live in a rural area and still go out for a walk on deserted country paths each day. If we do happen to see someone (very rare) we step well off the path so we maintain a safe distance from them. The place we (and your parents) live makes things very different to someone living in the middle of London say. On Saturday I did a four-hour walk over the hills and didn't see a single person.

I expect full lockdown for everyone is on the way because people are simply unwilling to following the advice right now. It's going to be miserable (a friend lives in Italy and is finding it incredibly hard) so I'd say they should get out - albeit sensibly - while they still can. That's assuming they're classed as vulnerable rather than extremely vulnerable.