what about walking the dog?

how I symoathise. Although like you, I don't socialise much and tend to keep yself to myself, the idea of never going out makes me very sad. Isolation is one thing which old peopl eunderstand very well,/ I don't have dogs, but staying IN??? For 17-19 weeks?
I shall rebel

I think it is fine to go out walking. We are supposed to keep 2 metres away from others and wash our hands when we return. It is important to exercise and your dogs certainly need to exercise as well.

Until you have soldiers with guns patrolling outside your house of course you can go to the woods we all have to keep this in perspective
Most people get over this virus please remember all over the world the vast majority of people with the virus GET WELL AGAIN

I may lie about my age... I've got away with it before!

Seriously, I think we should wait and see. We don't yet know exactly how isolated we'll need to be. We have a little boat. The car is directly outside so we can get in the car, drive to the boat, go fishing and return without ever having been within 50 feet of a living soul. And probably not even seen one. We don't yet know the details, so I'll wait and see.

It seems that dog handlers are given exemption in Italy and Spain?. So let’s hope we do the same.

A huge relief for us as our little Cairn won’t “go” in the garden under any circumstances.

Where can I get a dog!

You can borrow ours dumpling he’s up for walks any time. Well behaved and easy to handle?

I intend to take myself off over the fields when i start to feel a bit stir crazy. (Pictures the local fields with lots of over 70's walking round the perimeters for their daily exercise) Hopefully the weather will be kind and we can all potter in the gardens, tidy up the shed and greenhouse so we get out in the fresh air safely, well those of us who have them. Its those in flats i feel for.

I ve got the beach nearby I m sure I can get lost on that for an hour or so

momb is right Rocknroll5me there is no problem walking your dogs in the woods away from other people. The fresh air and exercise can only be helpful.

I would love to be walking in the beach right now BlueBelle all those sea breezes blowing the cobwebs away. Enjoy it for me.

thanks all - I have just heard that Matt Hancock got it wrong and has retracted; now over 70's will just have to self distant and not self isolate...and we can walk the dogs! I'm glad I wouldn't have been the only one rebelling. I mean for people to offer to walk my dogs and do my shopping would be great if I'm ill - but not because I'm 70! And I wondered what they would do - would they send a letter to you saying we know you are over 70 blah blah....? if not then easy peasy to just carry on being intelligently careful as we are. Lets hope none of us get sick. Am greatly relieved.

Where did you hear that Matt Hancock 'got it wrong' Rocknroll?

Guardian Today: the headlines, the analysis, the debate - sent direct to you:

"Hancock confirmed the government will soon tell people over 70 that they will need to self-isolate at home for up to four months to protect themselves from the disease – but his terminology caused some confusion, leading Scottish officials to stress that elderly people would not be asked to avoid all contact with other people.

In an interview on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Hancock said asking the over-70s to stay self-isolated would be “a very big ask”, but that it was part of the government’s action plan because it would be necessary to protect them. He said this would be announced in the coming weeks.

Jason Leitch, the national clinical director for the Scottish government, which is working with the Westminster government on a UK-wide coronavirus strategy, subsequently said on Twitter there was no plan to ask the over-70s to “completely socially isolate” and that the proposal for older people would be to minimise social contact, not end it.

In a tweet, he said: “We are working on guidance for the over-70s to be asked to REDUCE social contact for their safety. So no bingo, no pubs … BUT family visits and neighbours etc.”

The term self-isolation has been used by health officials to refer to the very strict isolation routine supposed to be followed by people with coronavirus, but on Sunday morning Hancock seemed to be using it in the looser sense that has become commonplace – referring to staying at home and minimising social interaction.

Thank you Rocknroll - I too am greatly relieved.

It’s not a “rule”. The advice has been contradictory but I shall use common sense. Certainly continue twice daily walks but, as when my puppy was in season, choosing times and places where I won’t meet anyone up close.

Common sense all the way! Walking dogs on beaches or sand dunes, woods and such like is recommended surely? How would they 'police' this anyway. Would they have people strategically placed asking for id? Doubt it. Carry on walking your dogs but give people a wide berth to be on safe side.