Is My Support Bubble Still Valid?

[IDSNeighbour]

Sorry, I know there's a million of these threads and probably nobody knows the answer but I'm so sad and confused that I thought I'd ask in case.

I am now in tier 4. My sister is my support bubble. She's in tier 3.

Boris said support bubbles for people living alone were still allowed.

But he also said travel outside tier 4 was not allowed.

Which rule takes precedence?!

I really don't want to be on my own on Christmas Day although I suppose it's not literally the end of the world.

I fully accept I can't see anyone else. I wasn't planning to anyway.

Oh no, sorry! I thought this was in Coronavirus topic, not AIBU.

As far as I understand, support bubbles can still continue (but I don’t blame you for being confused, it’s very unclear)

Support bubbles are fine. It's Christmas bubbles (the ones the relaxed rules would have allowed) that aren't allowed anymore for Tier 4.

I think you're fine.

This is a support bubble that has been going on for a while, and isn't a new one that is just Christmas mixing by another name

Support bubbles supersede all other restrictions so you’re fine

Ok, thank you. I'm going to plan to go ahead then. Kind of scared of being stopped on the motorway though!

TBH it’s not completely clear yet, wait a few hours and they will hopefully clarify in full written guidance. It will probably be allowed to visit a support bubble outside your tier, but we should know for sure once the full guidance gets published.

Your mental health is what matters. Uphold your support bubble.

Exemptions to the “stay at home” message that applied in the November lockdown, will also apply in the new Tier 4 – including support bubbles, childcare bubbles and children whose parents are separated.

So yes, you can still see your support bubble

If she’s already your support bubble and you do actually see each other, then I think it’s allowed

Hi op I’m also in tier 4 I hope this will help, I’m pretty sure because we are in tier 4 we are not allowed to leave our tier area or stay overnight, it’s confusing. I feel sad for everyone that’s faced with being on there own

Yes you can still see the person in your support bubble even if you are tier 4 and they are in a lower tier. Seeing your support bubble is one of the permitted exceptions for travel out of Tier 4.

It is unclear, I agree. You could still have a tier 4 - tier 4 support bubble, but I understand why you'd question a tier 4 person socialising with a tier 3 household.

I’m 90% sure it’s a valid reason for travel so if you’re stopped you have a reasonable excuse.

My brother is coming to us still, and we are his support bubble.

www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home

Thank you for the link shamus Visiting a support bubble is listed as a reason for travelling, although it does say that the travel should be local so I still feel a bit bad. It's a very easy day trip though so not exactly the other end of the country (just over an hour's drive).

I wouldn't fall apart mentally if I had to stay on my own though, so I can't really claim it's a mental health necessity. I'd be very sad and lonely but I'd survive.

Got a few days to think about it, I suppose!

Your welcome, it's shit but do what you have to

The link says that you can travel to a tier 1-3 area to visit a support bubble. Go and enjoy your day