Does this break lockdown rules?

[heather12911]

So just a bit of background; am nearly 36 weeks pregnant with first baby and due at the beginning of June. For several months we have been having major building work on our house which was due to be finished end of April and that is when we were going to move back in. We are currently in a rented flat as house unliveable and lease was originally due to end early May.

When lockdown happened, fortunately our builders were able to carry on with social distancing measures, however because of issues getting hold of various supplies there have been inevitable delays, however they are progressing and our landlord has agreed we can stay on another month and move out of our flat beginning of June.

We should be able to move back into our house in 2-3 weeks however what this means is that, in the week either side of when I am due to give birth my husband and I will need to move all our stuff out of the flat and into the house and clean the flat.

We are going to try to start moving some of our stuff over once the builders get a suitable room in the house free for us to store it in, but I cannot see any sort of situation where just the two of us (especially with me being heavily pregnant) will be able to manage to do the rest without some sort of external help, esp as we have furniture that needs 2 people to move. What if baby comes a little early? What if I end up needing a C section?

My mum has suggested that she and my dad self isolate for 14 days, then come up a week before the baby is due (this will be 2 weeks before we have to move out of our flat) - and stay with us for about 3 weeks until just after baby born - that way have extra hands on deck to pack/move/sort when at the house, assuming I will be unable to assist in any way. I think her main agenda is being able to see the baby which obviously would be lovely as well, and if that was the only reason they would be coming up I would say no because it doesn’t comply with the lockdown rules, however having some extra hands on deck for when we move I think is pretty essential. Does this count as providing help/care to a vulnerable person? (The vulnerable person being me as a pregnant woman)

We’ve thought of our other options which are;

1. Ask our landlord to let us stay for another month until beginning of July - not guaranteed and also extra cost as paying mortgage as well - desperately need to start putting some money away for when my mat leave pay goes down to SMP.
   

1. Get a removals firm - again extra cost, not even sure if any removals firms are working, also not enamoured by idea they come into our flat to move stuff having not socially distanced and potentially been in loads of other houses.
   

1. Get local friends to help - but they would need to self isolate for 14 days which would be a big ask.
   

Grateful for peoples thoughts, or if there is anything else anyone would do in the situation?

[heather12911]

Bump

[sittingonacornflake]

I think it's completely essential and I wouldn't even remotely hesitate to do this in your situation.

[whiskeylullaby2]

It probably, technically is against the rules. But I personally think it's a great idea

[Tigertrees]

Would need to know the age and health of your oarents

[Dialdownthedrama]

No it's not against the 'rules'. There aren't any 'rules' there are guidelines and there is legislation.

[P1nkHeartLovesCake]

If your parents are elderly or have health issues you’d be very selfish to do this.

If however they are for example 55, no health conditions. Isolate for 14 days then it’s fine

[shinynewapple2020]

Perhaps also suggest masks / gloves ? Presumably your DP and your DF would be doing the furniture removal?

[shinynewapple2020]

Sorry ignore me - just read that you are suggesting your parents stop with you. Yes if they isolate for around 10 days first this should be fine .

[heather12911]

Thanks everyone. Parents are mid - 60’s, no health issues so do not fall into the vulnerable category (but aren’t far off)

The idea is that they would self isolate for 14 days before coming to stay with us, then essentially be incorporated into our household for 3 weeks, before going back to their own house (nobody else lives with them)

[Pipandmum]

Are you renting a van? Can your family physically move everything? Is there furniture or just clothes etc?
I think there will be an easing of lockdown rules in the beginning of June so you may be able to book a removals firm, and they are advised to wear PPE and agree with their customers how to proceed.
But as for your question of 'breaking the rules', common sense should prevail, and if it's not possible to delay the move then have your parents help out.
I do not think you can expect friends to self isolate for 14 days.

[HatRack]

Is there room in the flat for them?

[heather12911]

Hadn’t planned on renting a van. Our house is 2 minutes round the corner from our flat and we can fit most things in our car. Most furniture is manageable with just 1 person (side tables etc) but not our dining table. It needs to be carefully manoeuvred out the flat with 2 people (it does not easily fit through doorways and it can’t be dismantled). Dining table can fit in the car if the boot is left open but as house 2 mins away we weren’t too concerned about this.

Parents can fit in the flat if they sleep on a blow up bed. But the plan would be for us to sleep at the house where we will have gotten 2 of the bedrooms vaguely ready (need 2 people to move beds around though!