Children’s parties from Monday

[dothisnotthat]

Name changed for this.

A dad at school is planning his child’s birthday party. It will be in a couple of weeks. He is intending to do a sport at an activity center for a large group, but they will do the activity in smallish groups then join up just for food at the end. All these children are in the same school class - no extras. My own child is invited.

I was a bit surprised given the new restrictions. The dad thinks it’s fine because a. They’ll be in small groups b. It’s a sport and c. They already spend everyday together.

The reason I’m asking is because I’ve put party planning on hold for my own DC (autumn bdays) assuming they wouldn’t be allowed.

Is everyone using the sporting activity loophole after Monday??

I haven’t seen the actual legislation yet, but I would think that lots of activities are allowed to go ahead if they are not on private premises, that the business has done a risk assessment and are following Covid secure guidance. That’s been the case in the local lockdown areas so would imagine it will be replicated once the legislation actually published..

Schools will be spreading it. But also people are most contagious 2 days before symptoms and then presumably 10d or the same amount if asymptomatic. So it's chance of it being those days. Any extra is obviously increasing risk even if they see each other 5d.

If they activity centre is running the activities then I think it should be fine. Children can go to sports classes, clubs, holiday camps etc.

You just couldn't have a party with more than 6 in your house or a community hall.

Sorry I should of said - children under 12 Aren't included in the 6 , not are

So technically the party is fine as long as there isn't more than 6 adults there from more than 2 house holds.

They are included in the 6 in England. They are not included in the 6 in Scotland

@Indoctro

Sorry I should of said - children under 12 Aren't included in the 6 , not are

So technically the party is fine as long as there isn't more than 6 adults there from more than 2 house holds.

No they are part of the 6 in England

Children do count in the numbers, if you're in England.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51506729 gives the different rules depending on where you live

Oh right I didn't realise, OP are you Scotland or England.? I guess if Scotland then it's not a issue.

@toobusytothink

Oh and the difference between that and schools is that schools are sanitising everything and everyone all the time and there are procedures which will not be followed at a bday party. So no they don’t have a magic force field around them but they are being as careful as they can be to try and help us not go into lockdown again whilst helping the kids see each other in a safe environment and to allow people to return to work

Are they heck sanitising everything all the time. There is no extra money for cleaning. I’m spraying desks and trying to get everyone to sanitise hands in the way in. I imagine a sort centre would do the same. Yes, careful as we can, but safe? Nope. If it was safe to have 30 people from different households sitting in close proximity it’s for at least an hour at a time these new regulations would t be necessary. So, yes, the party would go against refugee,actions, but the regulations are a pile of shit while schools are open as they are.

It’s against the new law. Meeting of up to six for social meetings, and a party is a social event

England, not Scotland.

We’ve had to cancel a party under similar circumstances. While the centre confirmed they could organise sports activities under the new guidelines, they couldn’t serve food in a large group.

No, it's not legal. I'm having to put my foot down with DD2 because a friend has invited 6 for a party, so it will take them over the legal limit.

@toobusytothink

Oh and the difference between that and schools is that schools are sanitising everything and everyone all the time and there are procedures which will not be followed at a bday party. So no they don’t have a magic force field around them but they are being as careful as they can be to try and help us not go into lockdown again whilst helping the kids see each other in a safe environment and to allow people to return to work

No. The difference with schools is that the decision has been made that the need to get education/childcare working again outweighs the risks of covid transmission. Let's be honest about it.

I'm sure every school is doing its best to try and keep things as safe as they can, but I think we're deluding ourselves if we think they're really safer than anywhere else. Where else do you have 30 people stuffed into 150 cubic metres (estimated) for hours at a time?

The activity centre will know the new rules and whether it applies to them.

Don’t count on it! I’m still trying to get an answer from the place we have a party booked next weekend. I suspect they’re still trying to navigate the guidelines.

This is not ok, and it isn't the same as going to school be wise you are exposing staff at the activity centre to the germs of 30 children, as well as all the parents picking up and dropping off ( unless they just sit in their cars). As PPs have said, school is a risk worth taking in order to get an education, a party isn't.

No it's against the law. The venue won't allow it. A child's birthday party does not count as a sporting event.

If they are in the same bubble at school then it makes no difference whatsoever.

Today I spoke with a local soft play. They are continuing to run parties, it would be on the basis of exclusive hire, each household will be allocated a separate table with distancing and the numbers are limited. I was quite surprised, they were confident it was within the ‘rules’ - I assume because they are ‘Covid secure’ and there is some planned structure to the session. I’m considering if for DS but not sure if many people will feel comfortable with it.

It's fine if you're in wales or Scotland. 12 and under are excluded from the 6. I've booked DS's football party for his birthday. 12 x 8 and 9 year olds at a football party. 😁

And dan still have up to 30 outside in wales. We're all going for a massive friends picnic on Sunday. 🌞🌞🌞

Even if children are excluded from the 6, its still 2 households in Scotland so a football party would not be allowed unless they are all siblings

The centre will have "Covid Secure" policies so are likely to be able to still operate beyond the six rule affecting informal social arrangements. If they are still willing to host the party then there is no issue.

The reality is that if any child is contagious, they're not going to spread it more at a leisure venue compared to 30 hours in school. The leisure staff are probably safer with a single school bubble than the same number of random people exposed to umpteen bubbles and groups all over the place.

It could well be legal under the sports group exemptions or out of school club/activity exemptions if it's organised by and at a sports activity centre. Basically it would just require the activity centre to have a risk assessment. I certainly wouldn't be kicking up a fuss since there is clearly no additional risk if they are all at school together everyday. Police aren't going to be interested in kids doing some sport together in an activity centre for a birthday.