Residents in Mansfield have had their say on what 'stay local' means in Covid-19 guidance after confusion emerged during lockdown.
Debates have filled social media in recent days over the definition of the 'stay local' guidance, with some people thinking it means 'walking distance' and others 'within a few miles'.
It follows confusion about how far people are allowed to travel to exercise, with Derbyshire Police coming under fire at the weekend for stopping women who travelled five miles for a walk.
A Government minister went so far as to describe the guidelines as "open to interpretation" after it emerged Prime Minister Boris Johnson travelled seven miles for a bike ride through London.
Official guidance from the Government is actually specific on the issue, stating that people should stay in your "local area", which means "your village, town or the part of a city where you live".
And commenting on the issue on Mansfield Live's Facebook page, readers agreed with this definition - urging others to "stop pushing the boundaries.
Commenting on Facebook, Antony Brett said: "Stop pushing the boundaries. Just do what's necessary for a few weeks and avoid the risk of meeting people.
"If you go somewhere in a car you potentially might have an accident or breakdown and involve other people.
"Someone mentioned canoeing and rock climbing - is it really necessary right at the moment - can't it wait?"
Many agreed, stating their thoughts that 'local area' means somewhere you can walk to.
Jayne Turner said: "I would interpret local as being somewhere you don't have to go to in a car, bus or train."
Helen Harding added: "Local is where you can walk to near your home."
Iona Brodie Hornby said: "If I have to drive where I’m going, and I can’t walk there, that’s not local to my mind, but that’s only my thoughts on it.
"People interpret the 'rules' their own way, and therein lies half the issue."
Paul Sanderson added: "Walking, running or cycling, start at your front door and finish at your front door when you have had enough."
However, one reader complained about the issue - stating that the 'stay local' guidelines is 'advisable only' and that it's difficult to access places locally.
Karen Wieland said: "Staying local is advisable only.
"The problem with the Mansfield area is, if you want to walk round country parks, you're limited because Rufford is closed, Vicar Water is crowded.
"Yes Sherwood Pines is open as is Sherwood country park, but for photographers who are interested in wildlife, there is only so many times you can walk round the res before it gets boring."
Commenting on the issue to Sky News on Tuesday, policing minister Kit Malthouse said people "broadly know" what local means.
He said: “What we are asking people to do is when they exercise to stay local. Now, local is, obviously, open to interpretation, but people broadly know what local means.
"If you can get there under your own steam and you are not interacting with somebody … then that seems perfectly reasonable to me."
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