Can we go in garden?

[life2day]

Just rcd this message NHS Coronavirus Service: You can open a window but do not go outside your property. Ask others to take rubbish to bins and to walk any pets.

Stupid question but can we go in garden. Child is on the high risk. Homeschooling for 3 weeks now - took out of school early but have been using garden for breaks, pe and nature work. Now we receive the above message.. has things changed?

Unless things have changed you can still use your garden. It's part of your property after all whereas bins for example might be left on the pavement.

Child is on the high risk.

Did they get the 12 week shielding letter? I think if they are shielded they aren't supposed to go outside for 12 weeks.

However I'm surprised the rest of the house can't go into the garden or take bins out.

How big is your garden? If it’s big enough to be able to keep a 2m distance from the boundaries just in case then I’d say fine, if there’s any chance your neighbours will come out and be too close to you then best not to risk it

This is the advice for those shielding isn't it? We aren't supposed to go outside at all.

Your garden is part of your property so yes.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51997151

'What does it entail?
It means staying at home at all times. You should not go out to shop or go for a walk in public places - it is fine to go into your garden if you have one.'

Your child is on the shielding list and as such shouldn't leave the house at all, not even the garden.

I've seen the letter sent out and this is the advice given.

And no things haven't changed but it's become known they've missed thousands that should be on the shielding list.

That's interesting @Thighmageddon as it contradicts what the government say on their website.

'www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19#how-do-you-look-after-your-mental-wellbeing'

'try spending time with the windows open to let in the fresh air, arranging space to sit and see a nice view (if possible) and get some natural sunlight, or get out into any private space, keeping at least 2 metres away from your neighbours and household members if you are sitting on your doorstep'

And this is the Scottish Government shielding advice:

'try spending time with the windows open to let in fresh air, arranging space to sit and see a nice view (if possible) and get some natural sunlight. Get out into the garden or sit on your doorstep if you can, keeping a distance of at least 2 metres or 6 feet from others'

I looked up the shielding advice and it says:

• try spending time with the windows open to let in the fresh air, arranging space to sit and see a nice view (if possible) and get some natural sunlight, or get out into any private space, keeping at least 2 metres away from your neighbours and household members if you are sitting on your doorstep

From here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

@Stet - you are right. The part you refers to is under 'how do you look after your mental wellbeing' but further up the page under 'what is shielding' it says do not leave your house. Definately confusing!

Yes on shielding list and rcd letter. No face to face contact......do not leave home? That is what it says... idle home include garden... just on this thread alone there is mixed comments and from the text message and given letters

Wow that's really strict!
Op id judge it on personal situation.
How big is your garden, what about neighbours?.

On one side our neighbours don't come out, on the other we will be 2 meters away even though our gardens are long but thin...

What's the weather like? Apparently perhaps... Ultra violet rays may kill covid.. Wind will certainly wisk it away.

Can you stagger when you go out if its small garden with lots of neighbours.

So far only us that are out nd 2 meters from boundaries as shed on the side and garage etc in the other

There's a link somewhere that someone posted on another thread where the government explain what they mean by 'your home'. It includes garden, outbuildings, etc. I can't find it now annoyingly.

As always it's about common sense.

On the one hand, If you have a big fenced off back garden which no one can get into, then your child even if they're high risk will be absolutely fine playing there.

If, however, on the other hand, you only have a front garden near the pavement which people are walking past, then this obviously wouldn't be fine.

I was just worried that I'd missed something... and that garden was banded during it being air borne for more 2 metres

I had a complete panic when I read the shielding letter! Literally being in a small house for 12 weeks with 2 vulnerable and shielded toddlers was not a good thought. The government advice says that private garden spaces are fine though under the mental well-being section. I don’t know about your DC but not being able to go outside at all would definitely not be in my DCs best interests. They are very vulnerable yes but first and foremost they are children! We have been loving being in the garden every day.

Agree being the garden and having a garden has been great. Gives them their freedom, fresh air and breaks the day up.

But in the garden you still have to be two metres from neighbours don't you?

Ah here's the wording about what constitutes someone's home. It's from the Coronvirus legislation.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1), the place where a person is living includes the premises where they live together with any garden, yard, passage, stair, garage, outhouse or other appurtenance of such premises.

I was just looking for the same advice, I have 2 children (well one 19) who is in the shielding group.
It seems that it is fine in private gardens as long as keeping away from others.
We are all not going out as it's not visible (child with ASD) and young children to be able to keep away from each other appropriately.

Sorry feasible not visible

The shielding advice is impossible to follow if it is a child that requires shielding.
They arent meant to use communal areas of the house ( kitchen, bathroom, living areas,) that are used by the household. They are meant to eat seperately etc etc.
My son is also on the shielding list but shares a bedroom with his brother and we only have obe bathroom. So unless they are going throw an extension up for us or rehouse us. We are being sensible using all the space we can including our garden and washing hands. He has not left the house in 3 weeks.