What's classes as non essential social gatherings? Can I still meet friends with my toddler?

[HotChocolatemarshmallows]

We usually go to baby groups then for a coffee. Baby groups are now cancelled and I'm not sure I'm happy to go for a coffee now either, not sure I want to go to peoples houses either! So is a meet up for a walk safe?

Are people avoiding friends now?

It’s about limiting contact. At the moment children have to go to school, so that contact is unavoidable. Any social contact outside of that is avoidable. It’s not really that difficult.
Yes it’s shit. Yes it’s contradictory. But everyone has to do their bit to limit the spread of the disease.

Socialising with the public for work is essential for some. Meeting friends for coffee, walks, groups etc is not. The SAHP group can do a lot to help this pandemic by staying home with their children. Yes it’s hard. Yes it’s boring. But people will die if we don’t. The people saying “do it before the police stop us”, if we all do it NOW then the police won’t be needed to make us stay in our houses and can actually do their jobs, and help out with the crisis.

Asthma sufferers and other vulnerables are not ok to go work with children.

I hope support for workers who can't work safely will be sorted soon

DS and I will be going to school, work and the shops
Where you'll clearly be isolated........

MissBax I was being somewhat facetious when I said I was confused between essential and nonessential.

Thing is, I have no issue being drafted in to become an ‘essential worker’, ie providing childcare for essential workers children, or whatever. BUT I currently have ten 7 year olds in my class with a SAHP. I also have several more children in my class who I know have parents who have been sent home to work. Why on Earth is it classed as ESSENTIAL that they be in my classroom today?

British schools must stay open so more families can catch the virus better. Kids should not hang out together after school but should sit next to one another for several hours in germ infested classrooms. The big numbers will go down if you just stop testing. Stop going down the boozer unless you really want a pint. Them foreigners no nothing. (courtesy of gov.uk). note; saracasm, disregard.

Shopping has to be one of the most dangerous places, after public transport. You're touching trolleys, baskets, checkouts.....You're all jammed in together. Same on tube/buses - sitting in close proximity or standing neck to neck. Holding filthy handrails.

Walking and running in the fresh air is alright as long as you maintain a safe distance from other people.
I expect we will all end up on strict lockdowns eventually, even if it's just for short periods.

Britain hasn't the police force to police people on the streets. They simply don't have the resources. All you have to do is say you're on your way to a GP appointment and what can they do.

Brother in Canada has everything closed down, but they're allowed out and about to parks and for walks. Advised to stay 1 metre away from fellow citizens.

Why not look at what other countries (where social distancing is being enforced not requested) consider essential? It's pretty simple: food shopping, going to chemist, medical appointments. A walk or run alone. The more people apply those standards the more effective they'll be, making exceptions like meeting up for coffees just increases the chance of a full lockdown needing to be applied.

In London, surely the tube has to be a hotbed to pass it on for anyone getting to and from work. You're packed in like sardines - central line anyone? To allow that to continue, and stop flights is ludicrous.

To be honest, the way many people are talking (going to yoga classes ffs - they shouldn't even be on) this "advice" stage will quickly head to a France style lockdown as many people seem to take perverse pleasure in wanting to ignore.

Shopping has to be one of the most dangerous places, after public transport
That's why the panic buying has to stop and people will have to keep their distance. People have to have food and essential items, very few people have enough money or space to have enough for 3-4 months.
As for public transport, deep cleaning helps a lot, and limiting passengers to people who really need it for work.

I wouldn't go at the moment and yes, would avoid friends. I assume friends would also avoid me. If anyway needed something I'd try to provide if it was possible at arms length, eg supplying goods which could be left in their porch or safe place, but not meeting up.

I went for a big long walk yesterday and bumped into (not literally!) a friend. As it was such a nice day we ended up in her back garden drinking wine and chatting. Never within 2m of eachother. The positive impact of this on my mental health has been massive. Felt like such a treat and has given me a real boost. A group of us are talking about weekly meet ups where we all sit in jumpers in the garden with our own wine and glasses and talk at each other. If this is going to be the marathon it looks like then we all need to try and stay safe and well and that takes many forms

I run a women's social meet-up group. Last night I cancelled all upcoming events for the next 10 weeks as they are, clearly, non-essential social gatherings.

still going to hot yoga are you kidding me? The selfishness of some people never ceases to amaze me.

Agreed tactum. We're social beings for the most part and being isolated can be detrimental to the mental health of some people.
If I had a choice of taking my chances with CV or being isolated for 3 months, I'd take CV.

I would still meet my friend. The guidelines are ludicrous, people are expected to travel on public transport to work in places full of other people yet they can’t meet friends, it’s bloody bonkers.

Reading this thread, you’d think some people want to pass this on to people who will potentially die from it.
Yes, you could ‘get away’ with telling them you’re on your way to a GP appointment. Yes it may seem nonsensical that children are going to school but can’t go to ballet class for example.
It’s about limiting the spread as much as possible without completely shutting down society!! Why can’t people see that? And you know what? Even if you don’t understand it, do it anyway. Do what you can to help limit the spread.

@turdtimelucky Yes well, with people having an attitude like you, expect to be on a France/Spain style lock down much sooner.

Work / Shop then home.

No social contact with anyone AT all,

Keep your family safe.

turdtimelucky it's not ludicrous at all. The tube is essential for people to get to work. Travelling abroad isn't essential at the moment, for the vast majority.

If you e.g. spend all day in a school with potentially infected children, can’t you understand the importance of not then voluntarily meeting in close proximity with others who haven’t? I just don’t get why people aren’t understanding the difference between essential and non essential. Cutting down the number of interactions we each have will reduce spread significantly, and give us a chance of keeping the most vulnerable safe. If something is optional, don’t do it. If you have to go to work to get paid, that’s not optional.