Outdoor Activity Relaxation

It is entirely possible for many sports and activities to be conducted with the now, well engrained, social distancing measures being employed. Outdoor activities like hill walking, golf, water sports, tennis (singles) and many more are all naturally socially distanced.

People are now willingly following social distancing and so Government can be confident in trusting the public.

Why the contribution is important

Because many people gain a huge amount of benefits from doing outdoor activities- health, fitness, happiness, motivation etc.

by KeithJMackie on May 05, 2020 at 06:56PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.8
Based on: 56 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Hamsterpus May 05, 2020 at 19:05

    Its time to get people out into fresh air for exercise, with social distancing easy to obtain.

  • Posted by NeilMacd May 05, 2020 at 19:15

    Strongly agree we’ve all been good and loyal subjects, time to reward our good behaviour

  • Posted by JMM May 05, 2020 at 19:21

    We need to be outside, especially while sunny, so we can build up our Vit D levels again, for our immune system, bones and mental health and wellbeing. Walking and sitting on a park bench for an hour soaking up the sunshine and seeing real faces, perhaps even saying hello, is now essential and won't compromise physical distancing if done solo or with own household.

  • Posted by Gavin May 05, 2020 at 19:27

    Reopen the forests and facilities and allow people to drive there

  • Posted by sbecker May 05, 2020 at 19:28

    I couldn't agree more. Allowing people to access the outdoors, while social distancing, offers huge benefits to mental health with only a minimal risk of increased virus transmission. In practice allowing people who live in cities to travel further and access outdoor spaces, increases their ability to actually socially distance effectively. Where I live local outdoor spaces are now regularly crowded with people exercising which makes effective social distancing extremely difficult. The ability to travel further and enjoy some outdoor activity would definitely make even strict adherence to social distancing much more manageable the rest of the time.

    To decide how and when to remove a given restriction you need to look at why that particular restriction was enforced to begin with. I think it's important here to distinguish between restrictions which were put in place because they directly impact the transmission of the virus, like social distancing and other restrictions that were aimed at reducing any additional demand for the NHS.
    To me continued social distancing seems completely justified given the rate of infection in the population is still high and the current lack of treatment or a vaccine.

    But other measures like restrictions on travel and guidance against outdoor activity were deemed necessary based on the fear that the NHS would be imminently and catastrophically overrun by Covid-19 patients. So now that we are past the peak and hospitals have fortunately not been catastrophically overrun as initially feared, restrictions on travel and outdoor access enacted in response to that fear, should now be lifted.

    Accessing outdoor spaces is good for mental health and makes social distancing guidance easy to follow. Continuing to unnecessarily restrict access because of a perceived threat that never materialised can no longer be justified.

  • Posted by susanjgla May 05, 2020 at 21:55

    Couldn’t agree more.

  • Posted by johncunndainn May 06, 2020 at 14:02

    Walking in the hills and forests of Scotland has a low risk of virus transmission because distances can be maintained and there is plenty of ventilation. Car parks are a potential for transmission, especially at popular locations on a good day, and there is concern over risks to the Mountain Rescue Service. With thought, both of these can be managed. Opening up more areas will reduce pressures on others. I see for more people on the forest tracks around where I live now, than I have seen previously. There's no where else to go.

  • Posted by shazzaem May 06, 2020 at 21:30

    I would say to allow all outside sports as transmission outdoor has been shown to be minimal. Keep changing rooms and clubhouses shut as necessary. Golf, tennis, hill walking, kayaking etc are all obviously lower risk but I would encourage training (at least) for team sports like cricket, football too.

  • Posted by norbertg May 08, 2020 at 08:14

    As much as I love the idea and I really miss my time hiking, walking by the coast etc. I'm afraid only of one thing - injuries. Probably for most of us who hike regularly it's not a problem but many people will be prone to injuries and this will only add more work for hospitals and rescue services.

  • Posted by HelenW May 08, 2020 at 21:48

    I think this is crucial for mental and physical health and overall wellbeing, especially given scotlands winter climate ( which will be coming round again soon) and what will be peoples prolonged inability to holiday abroad

  • Posted by Cathol May 11, 2020 at 18:15

    Outdoor activities should all be resumed, socially distancing of course.
    Very little evidence of transmission outside, primarily inside.
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