How far from your house is still in your local area?

To my mind 7 miles is certainly 'local' (as is the 5 miles the ladies in Derbyshire drove for their walk). I think what Matt Hancock said makes sense, i.e. don't drive to another part of the country for exercise. There is no stipulation that you can only do 1 hour's exercise at the moment.

Not really a pop a Johnson but surely, as others have said, the rules are confusing. There were other places, closer to Downing Street, that he could have cycled so he chose to go further afield. Perhaps he had a good reason or perhaps he didn't but it shows the confusion.

If I travel 7 miles I'm in the next county. Does that count as local as it's no further than Johnson cycled?

Yep I agree.Gagagran.I'm absolutely no fan of BJ but he was very overweight and then very ill with Covid.And I think he's determined to be fitter.As anyone would be after that wake up call.
Obesity in this country is increasing.I'd prefer to have our PM ,regardless who it is ,doing some serious exercise.I don't think the police should have fined the two women in Derbyshire,however I do see lots of people at our nearby resevoir wandering around chatting clutching coffees and muffins etc where it's obvious the primary reason for their outing is social than exercise. Often oblivious to the fact someone is trying to get safely past them.I find that far more annoying at the moment.

How long is a piece of string?

I think it depends on the area in which you live. If you live in a rural area, you may genuinely have to travel over 10 miles to get to a dentist, doctor or shop. If you live in an urban area, you might have those things within 2 miles.

A ballpark figure - I'd say 5 miles.

I believe the two Derbyshire women have now received an apology from the police.

Someone has pointed out elsewhere that a fit cyclist can easily go seven miles in half an hour. Turning around and cycling back would be an hour's exercise.

Put like that I don't really see what all the fuss is about.

Our most local supermarket is twelve miles away.

On my bike I can go further than 7 miles in an hour. On foot in this weather I’d rather do less.
People will always interpret rules to suit their own needs. So much more fun when you can blame your actions on someone else as if you have no decision making powers of your own.

In a built up area, it's not so easy to exercise at a distance, in general people dont keep theirs. Relieved to be able to drive out of town. Also my joints benefit from not pounding on hard pavements.

I think any form of outdoor exercise, skateboarding, walking, roller skating, running, skiing, cycling etc from your front door and back within the hour is local and ok. However you will go much further on a bicycle than walking average pace. Local to me means within reach of my nearest amenities I suppose.

Sounds a bit nit picking - an hour's bike ride is reasonable, and certainly a round trip of about 14 miles is hardly breaking the rules.

Thank you, Boris, you have settled an argument in this house as to what is 'local' and set a prececent. Of course, one could also look at from London to Barnard Castle as a guideline...

How sad the number of people saying “well if he can I can”
My husband is a cyclist, that’s his exercise, he rides up to 100 miles in a normal ride. You can’t ride a bike in a small area. He’s always cycled so I don’t see the problem.
The issue is with the people who want to get in their cars and drive miles just to walk the 10m to the ice cream van.

The problem is that the government havent been specific enough. What exactly does 'local' mean? In Melbourne, for example, they said 'you must not go further than 5km from your home'
We have no point of reference. The government needs to stop being so vague - you cant call someone out on this when they dont really know what the rules are.

Walkingthetightrope

How sad the number of people saying “well if he can I can”
My husband is a cyclist, that’s his exercise, he rides up to 100 miles in a normal ride. You can’t ride a bike in a small area. He’s always cycled so I don’t see the problem.
The issue is with the people who want to get in their cars and drive miles just to walk the 10m to the ice cream van.

I am a cyclist - you absolutely can ride a bike in a small area. I can do miles and miles but always being around 5 miles from home.

I think the government needs to clarify whether it’s permissible to drive a few miles to a quieter area to walk. Matt Hancock clearly stated last night that to find yourself 7 miles from home on a long walk was fine. But added onto the end of it “as long as you stay local”

I’ve been trying to stay within a couple of miles of my house but find each time I’m out I meet people coming towards me 2 and 3 abreast who make no effort to go in single file till we pass each other. I repeatedly have to step onto the road to keep a safe distance.

I know if I drove 3 miles I could be in an area of open countryside which is likely to be deserted. I’m not looking for a loophole, I would just like to know if it’s allowed to drive a short distance then exercise. Is there a ruling on this?

Matt Hancock suggesting last night that a walk 7 miles away from home is still local is adding to the confusion.

Good for Boris - considering the nit picking going on - for many he's damned whatever he does! I wouldn't want his, or any other Government leader's, job now or ever. Instead of blaming everyone else just do what has to be done in helping beat this virus. There are still too many who think the rules of safety do not apply to them but, should they or family, be affected by covid they will be the first to expect others to put their lives at risk to help them.

7 miles isn't even a particularly long walk - my son and his family regularly cycle 25 miles or more. During the first lockdown they cycled into Central London and went all round Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and along the Embankment. I don't think there is any problem as long as you don't drive a long way in order to exercise.

Also an hour's exercise was recommended not the law. I think it was Michael Gove who said that he thought 'and hour would be enough for most people'!

Need clear guidance on bubbles
I live alone age 74 and vulnerable.
My friend is married her husband is delivering goods out of area and obviously return s home they both have family whom they have visited.and one relative visited for a few days.
My question is I only have my friend go for walks with her then we go back to our own home .
But sometimes my friend comes to visit me and will bring me treats for my pets and any food if I want from shops
So I’m unclear on the bubble situation please advice and please life if difficult enough as I’m waiting for vascular specialist appointment so no nasty comments just your nice friendly advice Thankyou in advance

Curtain twitching to the extreme ?

My opening post asked whether 7 miles was 'local' I think we can all now agree that we can't agree. If we can't agree what constitutes local then the government need to give us a definitive distance. I'm not talking about getting to medical appointments or supermarkets. Just exercise.

I drive 1.1 miles to the park every morning to exercise my 2 dogs. I did all through last year and will continue this lockdown too. Is that permissible I wonder.

I could walk over 7 miles and still be in my village.

Far better for the PM to be riding his bike than clogging up the roads in his car. I’m sick of all this Boris-knocking. For goodness sake, the man needs to have some time away from his desk.

It 's no secret I'm not in the BJ fan club, also can't imagine ever voting Conservative. That said, what on earth is wrong with him cycling 7 miles from home. Of course his security guard would be with him. Give the man a break. He's working harder than he ever has, or ever expected to (even if he is't working as effectively as I wish he was)
We all need fresh air and excercise. I'm just off to meet a friend to do a favourite walk from her front door. She's a mile away and I'll drive rather than walk down, as our walk is 3 miles, enough for my knees.