conflicting answers on this ... sitting in another person's garden?

[Jungiannn]

My friend has asked to borrow something for work which is vital, and I am going to drop it off later.

She has asked me whether I want to sit in her garden (2m apart) and have a quick chat.

She lives on her own and hasn't seen anyone throughout the whole lockdown.

I know we're allowed to met people in public and go for a walk together etc., and sit in the park

... what's the stance on sitting in another person's back garden?

I think NO.
DP thinks YES.

I wouldn't worry. In 2 weeks schools are going back for yrs R and 1 with no social distancing, masks or PPE - I think we might as well not bother with any restrictions after that - they will be pointless.

Yes, I did this yesterday. My friend came over, came in via the back gate we sat in the garden well over 2m apart, she left via the back gate.

Actually less chance of virus spreading in my garden (I live on my own) than sitting on a park bench where 100s of other people have sat, sneezed on, coughed on etc etc.

No clue what's happened to common sense the past few weeks.

I would - yes. You are outside. if she can open the side gate (assuming there is one) and the chair is already in situ- I really don't see the issue.

Oh good lord! It’s a yes. So long as you can keep 2m apart. This is starting to get nonsensical.

People are about to start commuting into London. Trains/ tubes/ buses. It’s all well and good for them to say/ walk bike/ use own transport. Many people commute too far to do either and cannot afford the congestion charge/ extortionate parking costs.

I’m more than happy for my child/ children to return to school (within weeks possibly).

How people are saying you can’t have a socially distanced cuppa in the garden? Rubbish.

I reckon they said not garden because then people would push it further: pop in to use the toilet, offer drinks, offer biscuits/cake.

It's a yes from me.

I have done this and will anyway. Meeting in a park or through back gate in garden makes no difference.

Piece of absolutely nonsense that the guidance says you can't do this - it's much less risky than standing in queues/going to the shops/using public transport for work etc, etc, etc. I absolutely wouldn't hesitate.

Yes of course it’s fine PROVIDED you don’t have to go through the house to get into the garden. I’ve done it twice this week and will do it tomorrow too. Common sense people!

Outside in a 'public' place is allowed. They probably make that distinction as gardens are private and they don't want anyone thinking they can enter someone else's house which is always the risk when you visit someone else's garden.

Yep do it. Apply some common sense. I've visited my auntie and my MIL in their gardens, they both live on their own and not going out at all due to health conditions. I've sat in their garden, 2m away, taken my own bottle of water, not gone in the house at all. Less dangerous than a busy park. There comes a point where you have to consider mental health too.

A private garden is included within the confines of your home.

The SI states "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".

So if you aren't allowed to meet others outside your household in your home, that includes all of the above.

Hence the answer to the question being NO in accordance with the law.

In terms of the actual risk difference between having your socially distanced chat in the garden (not allowed) or outside on the street (allowed), there really isn't any difference.
Any increased risk comes from familiarity in the setting leading to lack of social distancing.

@HeffalumpsCantDance

^This.
I think it's weird it's inadvisable because something might happen, particularly something you can control (e.g. giving into temptation or not).

*particularly if it's something...

If you don't have to go through the persons house and aren't going to be using their cups/toilet etc I think it's as safe, even safer, than meeting them in a park amongst lots of other people

No, you aren’t meant to be doing this. But, I have done it several times, both with my parents and my mil. We don’t go in to the house, don’t touch anything except the chair, which they don’t sit on anyway, take our own drinks and snacks. We’ve sat in our front garden with friends. We always stay 2m apart.

I’d rather sit like that with my friends And family than I would stand in a supermarket queue with people I don’t know, at least I know my friends aren’t socialising with lots of other people and know they haven’t been close to lots of other people.

I saw the deputy cmo asked about this and it seems the reason for the one person / outside is due to large families , if they allowed into gardens this could get tricky.

I’m going with common sense and seeing both my parents with my dd in their garden 2m apart, no using loo and bringing own camping chairs

It says you can meet outside, it says you can't meet in someone's house. Surely the garden isn't in the house, its outside? I'd sit in the garden.

YES. Please go see your friend. If you sit 2m apart or more, and not go into her house, how can it possibly be any different to meeting in a park.
Except in a park, benches etc will have been used multiple times and the virus can live on surfaces for up to 72 hours.

Just be cautious and sensible x

Sorry if I missed this but is there an alleyway and external gate to the garden?
If so could she use that then maintain a safe distance?

I’m not convinced that this sort of thing isn’t being done already tbh

It's not officially allowed but it's clearly no more risky than sitting in a park. And the chances of pc plod jumping out from under a bush are zero. So go for it!

I think no but my neighbours have been having weekend barbecues and get togethers with friends and family for weeks. Whilst making grand support the NHS gestures on Facebook and virtue clapping their arses off. So I don't know.

No - you aren't allowed to meet in her garden

Yes - you are allowed to meet in her garden if you are caring for her, which includes care for mental health. Though you could just talk to her through a window from the street/her front garden.

I would stick to the front garden (give nosy neighbours evidence nothing untoward is happening), take your own chair / flask, etc and have a wee before you go and what's the difference versus a picnic in the park?

I think the rules are not to go into someone's home. If you are meeting one other person at a 2m distance in the garden and not the home then I would have thought it would be fine.