Can my parents come?

[mymymymymy]

I posted at the start of lockdown about my DM getting coronavirus and me not being able to go and see her while she was very ill - my parents live abroad. That was a very upsetting time.

Thankfully she pulled through. In the meantime DH and I have also had the virus although very mildly - we only know because we tested positive for antibodies.

My biggest worry now is about my parents' mental health and loneliness. They sound quite down, they don't have many friends, they miss us and DC terribly. Although the country they live in is coming out of lockdown, they don't really enjoy eg going out for dinner under the new strict regulations and they feel they have nothing to look forward to.

So my question is, can they come to us (UK)? I can't quite get to the bottom of whether that's allowed at the moment. They would drive and use the eurotunnel or ferry, and would happily be quarantined at our house during their stay. But it would be non-essential travel I guess? Plus my DC are back at school and I work in a hospital... I don't want to do something that's not allowed, or not sensible, but I hate to see them so down.

Not sure what to do for the best!

I'm sure they can come, non essential travel isn't banned, just advised against.

I believe that right now you and your parents would be committing a criminal offence if they stayed at your house (under reg 7 of the main coronavirus regs which bans indoor gatherings of more than 2 people unless they are members of the same household or "bubble", subject to a limited number of exceptions). Given the rate at which restrictions are being lifted, I expect the rules will change soon. NB This answer relates to England.

At the moment they can’t come and stay with you. It’s illegal for people to stay in your house currently (unless a single household bubble which sounds like you don’t qualify for). I’d wait until the next relaxations, it likely it won’t be too long until it’s allowed.

Thanks both. That makes sense.

It's quite hard as I think we're getting closer to it actually being an emergency, in the sense that they are now really struggling with isolation. But we'd better wait as you say. At least if we can start planning something for them to look forward to that would help

Would you not be combining households?
How long would they be staying. If for more than a fortnight's holiday, more like several months you would be living together Esther than visiting. Also if it is to boost their mental health by providing company that can be allowed too.

Just revisiting this... I'm concluding that as per 4 July this is now definitely ok as one household is allowed to stay overnight at another household. They'd obviously have to be quarantined in our house.

I'll make further enquiries but I just can't imagine that in a scenario where an older person like DM is depressed and has little to look forward to other than seeing her grandchildren for the first time since Christmas this is now still not ok..

Yes pretty sure it’s now allowed (subject to them quarantining for 14days once at yours) 😀. Although social distancing is required in your house.