To think seeing family in their garden is safer?

[VodkaCranberry2]

So we can see one member of another household outside 2m apart... surrounded by other strangers 2m apart where we don’t know where they’ve been/who they’ve seen, but we can’t social distance in our family’s garden where we know they’ve been isolating/only going to the shops? Is this not ridiculous?

I think the problem is the announcement yesterday wasn't clear, followed by several days speculation after his announcement of an announcement. Now people have all these different things in their minds. It is a clear indication that what he should have done was made the announcement today but for some reason that wasn't good enough for him, not enough publicity probably.

Me neighbour is currently sat in the garden chatting with a friend. Both sitting on the grass passing a newspaper back and forth, doesn't look like social distancing from here.

Police might visit and tell you not to do it again.

Yes I think with the vagueness of the guidance this might be the case. I'm Ok with it as it is but feel we may get asked into the garden by in laws and preparing myself, they seem to have lots of summer birthdays. Hmm

From Wednesday 13 May, the government will also allow outdoor sports facilities – such as tennis and basketball courts, golf courses and bowling greens – to open, but you should only use these alone, with members of your household, or with one other person from outside your household, while keeping two metres apart at all times.

There we go, you can indeed play sports, including tennis, with a person from outside your household

www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing

There is a massive difference. If you are meeting someone in their back garden you are likely to pop into their house to use the toilet. Or have a glass of water or cup of tea. Or hug them or sit closer as no one else is looking. Or your young child might run into their house.

Of course everything has a risk, but the government want people to be able to go to work. So many people fall through the gaps and are not furloughed and so are not earning anything at all at the moment. So better for those people to be able to work, and for families to just meet in the park for now.

Do some people really not get why this isnt allowed. Because:

1. The temptation is to hug and kiss someone you love
2. Little ones wouldnt be able to be controlled
3. Someone would break down. My DM for one if she saw someone doing that would not be able to stop herself
4. Others would want to use the bathroom, check on something an elderly parent asks them about. My DM is always asking me to check something when I am round there, Sky isnt working, fridge doesnt seem to keep things cool, can I check her post etc

It has always been possible to see 1 other person. A gathering was more than 2.
It's always been allowed to speak to someone from the street or the pavement. Gardens I think have always been a grey area - I suppose it depends whether front or back as to how you can really be sure of keeping distance, whether you have to go through the house to the garden and things like that.

@LemonadeAndDaisyChains I am in Wakes...that was what the post was about. This means I can’t drive for exercise. Though I can drive to a shop or a garden centre or to work...

No no no!
You're not allowed to meet people you know even at 2m away as you will spend a long time with them unlike randoms in the supermarket

If you're going to go No NO NO at people , at least get your bloody facts right. (IF you're in England)
(I don't know about other parts as I don't live there)

@cardibach
For example, the Government has asked SAGE to examine whether, when and how it can safely change the regulations to allow people to expand their household group to include one other household in the same exclusive group

This bit of the guidance really isn't to enable everyone to see their loved ones, it's just the beginning of getting people back together. It's mainly to help the people living alone and totally isolated now. So that they can merge with another household and have some limited and contained contact with others. So in my case I would be able to see my daughter who is currently living away in a flat. But would not yet be able to see my parents. I think it is a good first step personally as some people are very isolated.

Some people just want all their personal scenarios spelt out to them personally. There was someone stating on another thread that if they were forced to go back to work then they would go and meet their elderly parents and stuff the government!

I do wonder how people as daft as this manage to hold down a job!

@GrimmsFairytales sorry, you are correct. I was foolishly going by what the PM said last night, which was clearly sports with household members. Not sure why it’s surprising that he didn’t have any grip of the detail...

@LemonadeAndDaisyChains I am in Wakes...that was what the post was about. This means I can’t drive for exercise. Though I can drive to a shop or a garden centre or to work...

Ah, sorry, didn't realise you were in Wales
In the UK it's just been said that we can drive for exercise again.
I'm waiting until the update at 7, maybe it'll magically become clearer then

You're allowed to play 18 holes of golf with one person not from your household. That usually takes longer than a schlep round Tesco

But @Genderwitched I do live alone. I really want to see my daughter. Doing so would mean her partner couldn’t see his mum. In our case, she lives with her husband so maybe they would agree to that (I’d feel bad though) but it’s entirely possible a young couple could both have parents that live alone. It’s cruel.

By she lives with her husband I mean DD’s partner’s mum

Lemonade I think Wales is in the UK

If I've got this right... does this mean that I can't go in and visit my Mum in her house? But her cleaner can...

Your mum could employ you as her cleaner...!

Lemonade I think Wales is in the UK

FFS (ffsaking at myself lol)
Yes, Wales is in the UK, we've all got different rules though.
I meant England!
Blah.

I get the feeling many Mumsnetters are “fumming” about this.

I predict posts saying “my next door neighbour met TWO people in the park, where do I report them?”

Cardi you just need to see them separately, or choose between them. So go see your dd by herself tomorrow. Her partner can go see his mum on the same day. On Wed you see your other dd alone.

@cardibach
Yes I know it does seem unfair but it really has to be very small steps at first You may all agree amongst yourselves that your need, at this particular time, is the greatest. In which case you must accept and not feel guilty. We will all be together again before too long.

Gwen
No it hasn’t always been ok to meet another person. Gatherings of 2 people or more from different households. It was clarified everywhere that the interpretation you’re inferring was incorrect. However that was incredibly confusing. As is this.

If you are meeting someone in their back garden you are likely to pop into their house to use the toilet. Or have a glass of water or cup of tea. Or hug them or sit closer as no one else is looking. Or your young child might run into their house

If you can guarantee that won’t happen though it’s safer for us to be in my garden than out!

The whole bloody thing makes no sense. Can't meet 2 people you know in the park but can sit and sunbathe next to a family of people you don't know is apparently ok? Stupid

My mum and dad live across the road. Literally 15 secs. I will continue to speak to them 2m apart in their front garden.