Travel restrictions keeping families apart

The public enquiry should examine whether imposing travel restrictions, such as being unable to leave your own council area, was a proportionate measure. This draconian restriction prevented people in some areas of central Scotland from seeing family and friends in other council areas for around 6 months (from autumn 2020 to spring 2021), contributing to loneliness, isolation and mental ill health.

Why the contribution is important

We need to learn lessons from past restrictions and rule out any which were disproportionately harsh from being used again in the future.

by ACM on September 24, 2021 at 03:55PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 5.0
Based on: 12 votes

Comments

  • Posted by StuartMacfar September 28, 2021 at 16:27

    Agree with this. The restrictions were severe, with family less than 20 miles away, but over an artificial Covid line we were prevented for seeing them for far far too long. We need to understand if this had any measurable benefit and if that was worth the distress caused to so many families.

  • Posted by CMac September 28, 2021 at 18:07

    I could not understand the benefit of a restriction in which I was allowed to cross an artificial council area border to go into school as a teacher, yet not see family ( outdoor and socially distanced ) who lived minutes from my workplace in the same council area.

  • Posted by Julie September 28, 2021 at 18:20

    This restriction was totally unacceptable and in no way proportionate. It affected many families who lived just a few miles apart but over an artificial boundary.

    Additionally some people had hundreds of miles to travel and some were restricted to very small geographical areas. In no way fair or justified.

  • Posted by AndyDickson111 September 30, 2021 at 16:38

    Travel restrictions were too severe and keeping families apart for too long. Also no access to outdoor countryside …yet golf courses opened …gives indication of the mindset of those taking decisions. No access to mountains ?

  • Posted by nora September 30, 2021 at 23:45

    I completely agree. I had precious time stolen from myself and my family in the year before my father's death. Exemptions were not made clear, or wide enough, though should not have been necessary, and the encouragement of societal judgment for people seen to be breaking restrictions was abhorrent. People who lost loved ones, to any cause, will never get that time back!
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