To think it's too soon for a party

[SkiddySkidz]

My MIL is very excited lockdown is ending and has decided to throw a belated party for her 60th as soon as possible. She has managed to book the beer garden at our local pub on 4th July, which she is terming the new independence day, and has invited all her family and friends. I am not sure of numbers but possibly around 60 people.

AIBU to think this just doesn't seem right? Are things going to change that much in a few weeks that we will be able to have huge parties all of a sudden? The pub took the booking so it seems like it should be okay. Or are the pub taking the mick out of the rules / my MILs hopes? She has already bought loads of decorations and is ordering a massive buffet and I worry she will end up severely disappointed.

I feel like this sudden change 'back to normal' might take me a bit longer to get used to than some people...

Think I would give it a miss.
A couple of weeks ago I had a friend over to sit in the garden staying 2m apart.
6 bottles of wine and 4 shots later we were dancing round the garden holding each other up🤣🙊🤣
I'd probably get drunk and forget about keeping my distance.

Lockdown might be easing but it hasn't ended.

Pubs are scheduled to be open on the 4th July but they are not going to be pubs in the way they were before lockdown.

60 People in a beer garden? Unless it's a huge beer garden how is social distancing going to work?

The pub has taken the booking so it sounds like they are either thinking they are going to ignore all guidelines or, like your MIL, are being very optimistic.

@userxx

and if it rains what will they do?

Marquees. I've read this is how pubs will be trading going forward.

It'd have to be an open sided marquee, to qualify as still being outside. Who wants to sit under a plastic canopy while the rain beats down, just to eat a school lunch in a bag? Sounds unremittingly grim to me.

It doesn't sound like much of a party to me.
Personally I would just let your MIL get on with it (and find a way of not attending - maybe develop a cough!)

Very disrespectful. She is very very unreasonable.

If around 1 in 1000 people still have it by then with 60 attendees there will be around a 17% chance of coming into contact with someone with the virus.

Hopefully though case numbers will have dropped by then.

@Thisismytimetoshine Yep, think that's the plan. I seriously can't wait to see them go up!

Will it even be legally allowed by then?

As far as I'm aware it's still groups of 6 people can meet outside 2m apart, and those living alone can go to 1 household.

I doubt in a couple weeks it'll be relaxed to the extent that 100 people can meet up.

Not gonna happen.

Haha @Thisismytimetoshine I have been to a pre covid wedding that was like that. They wanted it to be totally outdoorsy and camping themed. Used a field owned by a friend and set up a load of gazebos (not even waterproof marquees) and the only facility was one toilet. Happened to be the rainiest wettest day of the year and they had no alternative arrangements. Bought our tent down with us and it was too wet to pitch. Guests didn't bother with dressing up just wore waterproofs and wellies. We were utterly soaked. The food was all soggy too. And there was no where dry to be all day. Someone tipped the water that had built up on the roof onto the brides head and her make up and hair washed away. Lots of children were crying begging to go home. Will never forget how cold I felt that day...

Still it was better than this party is going to be by the sounds of it. At least we could huddle together for warmth back then 😂😂😂