Can I still visit bereaved friend?

[Broceliande]

My best friend lost her husband in very sudden and traumatic circumstances three months ago. She has lived with her parents, who are also struggling with grief, ever since. I moved in with them the day after his death and stayed until the funeral; since then I have been visiting every few days. Very occasionally she manages a walk or a drive out, but for the most part she is unable to function and rarely gets out of bed.

We're in a high tier area; as she lives with her parents (who are visited by a close family friend and my friend's sibling, although my friend seems to have minimal interaction with them) does this mean that for the forseeable future I am unable to support her?

It seems extraordinarily cruel, especially as, if it were not for lockdown, her husband would still be alive

Technically no, you can't. But I would continue visiting as long as those living in the house are happy for you to do so. Sometimes common sense and mental health has to prevail. I'm so sorry for yours and your friends loss.

If you live alone I think you can still bubble?

Or you could move in.

Otherwise if you want to act legally you could visit the garden or anywhere outdoors.

No. But I would continue to do so if I were you and you felt comfortable.

If you are tier 2, you can legally visit their garden (as long as you don't access through the house), you can also visit for "care needs" but it's not defined so that is a way of acting legally. The restrictions were always more flexible in the U.K. than most countries, perhaps to our detriment, but it can add legitimacy to your visits if she needs them for mental support.

If you live alone you can join a support bubble. Otherwise there is an exemption in law for providing support to a vulnerable person, which I think would be included by this situation.

Thanks - I live with my husband and kids, so couldn't officially form a bubble. Her parents are fine for me to visit and are not clinically vulnerable - my friend is past caring, not that I blame her. Obviously my kids go to school but apart from that I follow all the rules and rarely see anyone apart from my friend; any other social contact will of course stop now as the new restrictions have come in.

Otherwise there is an exemption in law for providing support to a vulnerable person

If your friend's MH has made her a vulnerable person to the point she is seriously in need of support then yes you are covered to support her.

unable to function and rarely gets out of bed - vulnerable

Do it. No normal, sane person would criticise you for it.

@Yoloyohol

Otherwise there is an exemption in law for providing support to a vulnerable person

If your friend's MH has made her a vulnerable person to the point she is seriously in need of support then yes you are covered to support her.

This.

No one should be allowed to drown in grief on isolation whatever their household composition.