To think in a support bubble this is ok

[Differentcorner]

My child has been asked to self isolate from school, he has no symptoms and we are in a long established support bubble with my brother. He lives alone, works from home, and our mum died a couple of weeks ago. Is it right that as we are a single household whilst everyone remains asymptotic ( we are 7 days in) that if we wanted to it is acceptable for him to still visit us? I am a pharmacist so still working in a large hospital because of lack of symptoms within our home. I’ve read and read the guidance and I think he can still come over as we have the privileges of a single household. His mental health is poor and I just feel so torn. Thank you for reading to end

Oh fingers crossed for you then @Carrotcakey! We aren't having anyone over this Christmas regardless. Because our only potential bublee lives too far away to make it worth it. They'd have to sleepover. If we had someone round the corner who could come for Christmas Day though, this would be great news!

Its fine.

Thank you again for your kindness and time to reply

Your child has to unfortunately self isolate for the designated period of 10 days. If your brother can come over and you can keep him and your child completely separated, then fine, but that’s a big ask for your child. And I doubt you could truly keep them separate, depending on how old your child is. I would wait until after the isolation period is up and then, as long as none of you are symptomatic, see him as part of your support bubble.

Your support bubble do not need to isolate but they cannot visit your home during isolation. Unaffected people from your home can visit your support bubble in their home.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/nhs-test-and-trace-if-youve-been-in-contact-with-a-person-who-has-coronavirus/

-do not have visitors in your home, including friends and family – except for essential care
-any people you live with and any people in your support bubble do not need to self-isolate if you do not have symptoms

So you can go to your brother’s home. Your child cannot.
Your brother cannot enter your home.

Sorry for the loss of your mum too.

Still confused?
You said that you are a Pharmacist. Why are you not receiving adequate advice from your colleagues?

Do NOT invite anyone around to your home.

Your brother can't come to your house, but you could go to his (without your child)

We’re all health professionals yes but exhausted and overwhelmed and it’s not all black and white, we are one household as a bubble as therefore this is I why I thought it was ok. We’ve not seen him and he’s not been here so I guess will
just stick it out a little longer or meet for a walk. Visitors and family apply to tier one where rule of six applies?

Your brother is lonely and newly bereaved. Your child has not tested positive and is 7 days into isolation without symptoms. You are going to work as usual. I really don’t see why you couldn’t see your brother. The risk to his mental health is very real. Unless he has a physical condition that means he is extremely vulnerable, I would see him.
I’m very sorry you’ve lost your mother, you’re going through a terrible time

I am in a support bubble with my sister and her family. I isolate when they isolate, but we are treated as one household so I still see them, just so one else.

Your bother can still visit as long as he has no contact with other people outside the bubble.

So sorry for your loss

My dd has had 2 bouts of self-isolating due to positive case in her class since the end of September, the rest of us - and our support bubble - are absolutely allowed to go about our normal business. For us that means 2 other kids going to school/college, one adult going to work in a big college, and one wfh whilst dd gets on with online learning. Plus usual grocery shopping etc.

We are in this situation too and I thought our support bubble couldn't come over but I find the rules very hard to understand so could be completely wrong! My DD has to isolate til Boxing day so at least we will be able to go for a walk then!

Sorry to hear of your difficult situation

Yes. He’s definitely allowed. Plus if the isolation is because of someone they’ve been in contact with having a positive test, rather than for symptoms I would definitely continue as usual. My boyfriend’s son had to isolate a few weeks ago - we live apart but are in a support bubble and still spent weekends together as planned. It would be different if someone had symptoms while we were apart, but otherwise we treat ourselves as one household which is completely within the rules.

See him, not seeing him sounds like it’ll do him more harm than good. I’m sure he knows the risks.
Bubbles stand no matter what.

@ElfMadeSantaList

Your brother is lonely and newly bereaved. Your child has not tested positive and is 7 days into isolation without symptoms. You are going to work as usual. I really don’t see why you couldn’t see your brother. The risk to his mental health is very real. Unless he has a physical condition that means he is extremely vulnerable, I would see him. I’m very sorry you’ve lost your mother, you’re going through a terrible time

Most sensible reply.

I'm so sorry about your loss, OP.