'If 3 couples go to the pub & sit outside they don’t need to sit 1 meter apart'

[Redolent]

Is this true? A simple fact check please based on current government guidelines. Just saw this posted in another thread.

My understanding of hospitality was 1 metre + at all times (the 'plus' here can include ventilation i.e. being outdoors). Not that there's zero social distancing outdoors.

Don't know, but all the pubs I've been to in the last few weeks have been seating groups of 6 (not necessarily from same household) on picnic tables where they're deffo not 1m+ apart!

We've been with another couple and sat on diagonally opposite corners, so were probably 1m+

No social distancing is always in place in England for all age groups, inside and out unless you are in the same household, or same social bubble (Limited to single people joining with one other household). It is guidance not law though if that makes a difference.

Think this is still the situation www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51506729

Suggests that people SHOULD be 1m+ apart outside (unless same household/bubble)

Two households can share a table, so 2 of the couples, the other couple has to sit 2m away or 1plus mitigation

From the gov.uk website, so you seem to be ok

Indoor gatherings should only be occurring in groups of up to 2 households (including support bubbles) while outdoor gatherings should only be occurring in groups of up to 2 households (or support bubbles), or a group of at most 6 people from any number of households. It is against the law to gather in groups of more than 30 people in private homes (including gardens and other outdoor spaces

But the gov.uk website also says “you should always maintain social distancing with people you do not live with – indoors and outdoors, including in the settings below. You should only have close social contact with others in your household and support bubble.“

I'm confused about this too. I phoned a local pub yesterday and they are taking outside bookings for groups of up to 8 people. Do you think they assumed it was 2 households?

I don’t think anyone cares about the 2 household rule to be honest.

I met 2 friends for lunch the other day, so 3 households. We ate inside but were 1m plus apart On a very big table. Cafe never asked.

Our members gym has reopened and has a big members lounge....we asked about sitting together when more than two households. They said it was fine as long as we’re a meter apart. Which is against the guidelines.

Dd went to wagamama yesterday and said it was rammed. Went at 3pm and had to wait an hour for a table for 2 people.

There’s one restaurant near me which won’t accept bookings if more than 2 households involved...
So some places are checking but most aren’t.

DS went to the pub with 4 friends last night. Said they were on an outside picnic table (so unlikely to be 1m+ apart) Another friend joined them, so there were 6.....OK (ish)

Then apparently another group of friends arrived. "So you couldn't sit with them tho?" I said.
"Yeah, the pub just pushed another couple of tables together..."

Pubs don't care what household your from. Picnic tables outside. Tend to take details of lead booker only.

The gov rules are 2 households inside, up to 6 people from different households outside, AND people from different households should social distance by 1m+ other measures such as masks, not facing each other, being outdoors.

But that’s not workable for pubs so they’ve just gone for “no more than 6 people and ignore all the other stuff”.