Before AoS it was like that.
Sometime 5 or more years ago, they made it to where simply being Red would not be grounds to be guardwhacked, and reds can use towns freely as long as they behave (and were behaving before entering the guardzone).
Typically, if you're not Grey from a steal attempt, or in the timer from a "wouldst thou flee" crap from having actively participated in PvP in the last few minutes, you can go about your business normally.
As you can't enter a gate or recall in these circumstances (or for that matter, a house), it's unlikely the conditions will exist for you to get into a whackable state, unless you get caught snooping/stealing, or attack someone while ON the island.
