Long distance travel to see family in social bubble using own car

With the "bubble" idea - where we would be allowed to nominate 1-2 households we are allowed to visit. It would be good if this included being allowed to travel long distances to see family using your car (not public transport). For example, I live in Dundee but I have key family in Chester, England. Being able to visit them for a weekend would be good. By using your car, you can socially distance and would only need to visit a petrol station once or twice on the trip and can socially distance/pay at the pump. For those that do not drive, public transport could be considered but would need a mask and to socially distance.

Why the contribution is important

It is vital that we are allowed to see family soon. It has been a long time and the impact on mental health is very damaging.

by jay89 on May 06, 2020 at 11:48AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.7
Based on: 42 votes

Comments

  • Posted by cresswell May 06, 2020 at 12:45

    Have a father in his 90s alone and isolated 250 miles away. He would rather I visit and risk passing him an infection than what he calls his living death.

  • Posted by MRC May 06, 2020 at 12:59

    This needs to be assessed. My mother lives 200 miles away and I would like to drive on my own to see her and to support her through this difficult time, she lives on her own. The bubble idea should facilitate this.

  • Posted by BStrozzi May 06, 2020 at 14:03

    I would like to be able to visit my sister who is recovering from cancer treatment. She lives 60 miles away and I haven't seen her since Christmas. If we were all careful, I think this would give her a much needed boost.

  • Posted by Fitbaclub May 06, 2020 at 14:33

    I agree with the previous comments, I too have an elderly parent 90 yoa who lives alone and is over 200 miles away and although he gets practical support he lacks emotional support from friends or family, I am worried that I will not get to see him before the lockdown ends.

  • Posted by Amf May 06, 2020 at 15:50

    Agree with the previous comments. We would love to visit our 92 year old father who lives 650 miles away. It would be so good for his mental morale.

  • Posted by angusfife May 06, 2020 at 15:56

    My Wife has similar issue with her Mum living 400 miles away in a sheltered housing complex. While there may be a delay in these type of homes opening up for obvious reasons, when they do not being local shouldn't of itself prevent a visit.

  • Posted by Wishfuldreamer May 06, 2020 at 16:09

    100% agree as my partner lives 60miles away and due to lockdown we haven’t been able to see each other. Would even love to be able to move household and stay with him.

  • Posted by kyoung May 06, 2020 at 16:13

    As a individual living alone in isolation i fully support this idea. Across the age ranges the expression of loneliness and depression is by the day rising. Although I would not be in favour of a complete lift of travel to any household. A sensible approach to visit people in a "social bubble" HAS to be considered asap. I think most individuals like myself would only have one or two key households they would want to see anyway, and nobody would put at risk friends and family for the sake of it. For example, I would not chose to go and see my grandparents straight away but being able to visit a my sister who has presented no symptoms, is fit and healthy would be a massive emotional relief and benefit at this stage- particularly if this goes on for any longer.

  • Posted by AndrewAberdeen May 06, 2020 at 16:17

    100% agree. Currently on my own and my social bubble would be my family 60 miles away. Would be a much needed mental health boost! A lot of families have kids, parents,brothers and sisters separated and to travel in a safe way to see them would be ideal

  • Posted by Lulu May 06, 2020 at 17:15

    100% agree

  • Posted by scotm9490 May 06, 2020 at 17:49

    Completely agree! I am desperate to see my partner, as we haven't seen each other in 8 weeks, but they live 240 miles away and the notion of bubbles only matters to me if they are part of it. We're both fit and healthy and have been isolating individually for the past 6 weeks with no meaningful contact with any other person. Driving in my car to them would be a much needed boost for my mental health, which has faltered immensely in the past few weeks with the continuous indecision of when this will all end, and would also mean I'm coming into no contact with any other person, as the alternative of travelling by train risks this. Please consider this as the current notion of social bubbles still isolates many Scots and Brits.

  • Posted by Ideas81 May 08, 2020 at 08:12

    Not everyone has family locally. If they can travel by car to see them there should be no restrictions on distance
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