Trains and other vehicles and the tier regulations

[Luke McDonnell]

I am aware that in Tiers 2 and 3 you are not permitted to meet up with a person you don't live with indoors, I think both in a private home or an indoor public space but I am asking how this applies to trains (or other modes of public transport)?

Is a train (or bus or aircraft?) classed as an indoor public place as far as the Covid regulations are concerned i.e. would it be legal for 2 friends for instance who do not live (or are not in a support bubble with each other) who live in a Tier 2 or 3 area to travel to a destination on a train as long as they stay outdoors at that said destination?

What about stations many of which are enclosed which obviously you have to pass through.

It would seem strange if trains are covered considering that theoretically you could be sitting next to another passenger (who does not live in the same household) for a significant time so what defines a gathering in this context is it a pre arranged gathering or does it involve talking or interacting with someone?

And of course the train is likely to be moving between areas in different tiers but AFIAK you have to follow the rules of the tier you are in?

Can anyone clarify what is the position of trains or buses is the the purpose of the regulations? Also what is the position with respect to aircraft and ships? Do the gathering regulations apply to them also?

I know that with aircraft the laws are based around the planes country of registration (i.e. if UK or G registered would such rules apply even though it might be an international flight in UK airspace).

It does look like however airport establishments are exempt from the tier regulations for alcohol sales (relating to the curfew) is this correct are they also exempt from the 'substantial meal' rule?

Luke

 

[island]

Working on the regulations applicable from Wednesday here.

Under the definitions of indoors used, a train is outdoors and you participate in a gathering whenever two or more people are gathered in the same place for the purpose of social interaction or engaging in any form of activity together. You are not meant to be sitting next to people you do not know under the social-distancing rules, so that should not arise.

You may meet in groups of up to 6 people on board a train in tier 2. In tier 3, however, the outdoor places where you may meet are limited to places anyone may enter free of charge, sportsgrounds, botanical gardens, and gardens of a castle, stately home, historic house or heritage site. As such, gathering with anyone from outside your household/support bubble would be illegal. If the train you are in travels from a tier 2 area into a tier 3 area, you would need to cease interacting with any such person or you would be breaking the law.

If a station is enclosed, you cannot be in a gathering with anyone whom you have travelled with until you leave the station, but you can separate briefly and meet them outside the station somewhere. If the station isn't enclosed, you can meet them anywhere on the station in groups of up to 6 people in tier 2, but only outside the ticket barriers in tier 3.

The above applies mutatis mutandis to bus journeys.

As respects planes, the tier 1 regulations would seem to apply as you would not be physically in any tier 2 or 3 area whilst in English airspace, and tier 1 is defined as anywhere that isn't tier 2 or 3.

Airside bars and restaurants are subject to the overnight curfew as respects alcohol only (last orders 22:00, last service 23:00, reopen 05:00). They may remain open and serve food and non-alcoholic drink beyond that time. In tiers 1 and 2 they retain the requirement to serve only by table service; in tier 2 they must serve with a substantial meal. In tier 3, they can only serve takeaway, and must close 23:00-05:00.

I can't believe I just wrote all this.

 

[DB]

Working on the regulations applicable from Wednesday here.

Under the definitions of indoors used, a train is outdoors and you participate in a gathering whenever two or more people are gathered in the same place for the purpose of social interaction or engaging in any form of activity together. You are not meant to be sitting next to people you do not know under the social-distancing rules, so that should not arise.

You may meet in groups of up to 6 people on board a train in tier 2. In tier 3, however, the outdoor places where you may meet are limited to places anyone may enter free of charge, sportsgrounds, botanical gardens, and gardens of a castle, stately home, historic house or heritage site. As such, gathering with anyone from outside your household/support bubble would be illegal. If the train you are in travels from a tier 2 area into a tier 3 area, you would need to cease interacting with any such person or you would be breaking the law.

If a station is enclosed, you cannot be in a gathering with anyone whom you have travelled with until you leave the station, but you can separate briefly and meet them outside the station somewhere. If the station isn't enclosed, you can meet them anywhere on the station in groups of up to 6 people in tier 2, but only outside the ticket barriers in tier 3.

The above applies mutatis mutandis to bus journeys.

As respects planes, the tier 1 regulations would seem to apply as you would not be physically in any tier 2 or 3 area whilst in English airspace, and tier 1 is defined as anywhere that isn't tier 2 or 3.

Airside bars and restaurants are subject to the overnight curfew as respects alcohol only (last orders 22:00, last service 23:00, reopen 05:00). They may remain open and serve food and non-alcoholic drink beyond that time. In tiers 1 and 2 they retain the requirement to serve only by table service; in tier 2 they must serve with a substantial meal. In tier 3, they can only serve takeaway, and must close 23:00-05:00.

I can't believe I just wrote all this.

Just goes to show how utterly ridiculous and petty these rules have become!

 

[yorkie]

Just a quick note to say this thread is dedicated to answering the specific questions in the opening post.

I have absolutely no issue with anyone asking any other questions (such as regarding contractors) but please can these be posted in a new thread (if there isn't an existing one). I have deleted a post on this question purely because it's in the wrong thread. Thanks