Confused! How many can meet in garden?

[FinallyRelief]

So in one space the gov says only 6 people from two households can meet outdoors

Elsewhere it says that wedding receptions of 30 people can happen?

Does this mean we could have a birthday party in our garden with less than 30 pple?

I'm thinking for my DC bday in Sept - cos the children are all in the same bubble at school so mixing all week.

The situation is completely stupid. Either it's six people (in England) or it isn't.

You're very brave to have 10-15 kids and only two adults to supervise.

The aim is to get us moving about as little as possible. If all those kids had to use public transport then that's when things escalate.

Individually risk assess. If people want to decline, then accept their answer.

only socialise outdoors in a group of up to six people from different households, or in larger groups

not hold or attend celebrations (such as parties) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing and avoid close social interaction – even if they are organised by businesses and venues that are taking steps to follow COVID-19 Secure guidelinesif everyone is exclusively from one or two households

From the guidelines. And I think you’ll need to maintain 2m or 1m+ mitigation’s e.g. masks between the different households.

@cologne4711

The situation is completely stupid. Either it's six people (in England) or it isn't.

There is a difference between the guidance and the law.

Guidance says 6 - so that is what they would prefer but the law says 30 They are relying on common sense.

A one off party of under 30 with mostly children isn't very risky at all - especially as they are mixing at school.

Having parties every night with say 29 people, changing regularly, would be far more likely to cause a problem, even though it is technically legal.

@TrickleG

It’s 6 people from multiple households, or 30 from two households, in England.

This ^^ for England but not in local additional lockdown areas.

We got muddled about it recently too, as my DS was adamant it was 30 outside until I explained "nope no and nope", for his 18th outside garden BBQ, sorry bud limited number from different households (i.e your friends!) ... But it's no longer fineable /against the law and is guidance.
In fairness to him, I'd prefer 10 people S-D in the garden than 6 in my house...

I think the rules got a little bit messy.

However when children go back to school in 3 weeks, it will seem moot point since 100s children will be mixing in 'one bubble' inside multiple classrooms and none will be SD in a school of over a 1000 pupils with no extra space nor face masks, using same toilets. It is important for them to return to school but I'm pretty sure any viruses will go round like wildfire! I'm in extremely vulnerable shielding group, respiratory vulnerable, and even I'm fed up.

Yes I was thinking that people might not feel comfortable - my two and us would use loo upstairs so the kids use downstairs - we have bifolds they would be open

I'm hoping my mum and SIL (in our support bubble) may help out.

I prob won't send out a group invite (like we usually do on WhatsApp) just individual and yes in fact we go to a three form
Entry school! And my DC year group will
Play outside with another year group so their bubbles are huge!

The guidelines are no more than 6 if from different households. The law is set at 30 to allow for things like funerals and weddings. So, you can go ahead in the sense that it’s not breaking the law but in the knowledge that it is against the guidelines, and the spirit of the guidelines.

Would you be up for having it in a local park? I wanted a party on the date that would have been my wedding but many people were uneasy about coming to our home, so we had it in the local park. 29 people, balloons, birthday cake, drink etc but all socially distanced. There were two childrens birthday parties whilst we were there too.

Oh I'm having like an outdoor table set up all pretty would I need a license for the park? To do that?

@DamitJanet

The guidelines are no more than 6 if from different households. The law is set at 30 to allow for things like funerals and weddings. So, you can go ahead in the sense that it’s not breaking the law but in the knowledge that it is against the guidelines, and the spirit of the guidelines.

I guess where I've been a great observer of the guidelines - what I'm trying to say is all these kids are at school together in the same bubble!

So the guideline for multiple households socialising is 6 people but the legal maximum is 30 people? What’s the point of having guidelines and law that say two different things? People are just going to ignore the guidelines. It would be better to just have a hard limit on numbers.

@FinallyRelief

Oh I'm having like an outdoor table set up all pretty would I need a license for the park? To do that?

Well we didn't have a license and doubt any of the other parties did too. We had a few tables and put some bunting in the trees. As long as it's not rowdy, music blaring and you all clear up, I'm sure it won't be a problem. I've seen many park parties the last month or so and it has been lovely to see people out, having fun and socialising, albeit at a distance. They have all been very respectful of other park users too, like we were. Good luck with your party planning, whatever you choose to do.

I know somebody who works on the police phone lines. As far back as June, he was telling me that they would t send the police out to a gathering of ten if somebody reported it.

Wouldn’t

But legally nothing they can do up to 30? Gathering of 10 - they wouldn't ?

Correct.

@DonaldTrumpsChopper

Guidance is 6. Law is 30.

This

Don’t forget that local restrictions in parts of NW England and W Yorkshire (and maybe in other areas), you cannot meet people outside your household or support bubble stall in a private house or garden.

@Idontgiveagriffindamn

No you can’t have 30 people in your garden. And groups of 30 people are limited to certain activities / organisations that do not include kids birthday parties. This is an extract from the guidance:

It’s against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes (including gardens and other outdoor spaces), or in a public outdoors space, unless planned by an organisation in compliance with COVID-19 secure guidance. The government will be introducing fines for those who facilitate or organise illegal gatherings of over 30 people.

This kind of makes it sound like you can have a birthday party of up to 30 people in your garden. It's only illegal if it's over 30

@TrickleG

It’s 6 people from multiple households, or 30 from two households, in England.

30 from two households? Who has a household of 15?!

OP if it helps I went to a BBQ at the weekend in a friends garden with about 20 people from probably 10 different households and we weren't arrested or anything 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

@FinallyRelief I’m with you and we’ve been super compliant with lockdown rules. But I was looking at this yesterday and it is so confusing. Kids have generally had the shitty end of the stick during lockdown and i would be inclined to crack on with your plans.

Personally in your situation I would rationalise it as follows

1. The Law is up to 30 people so if you are a family of 4 you can invite up to 26.
2. The guidance says maximum 6 households but it’s only guidance
3. Your DC’s friends are all in the same bubble at school- so if the government thinks it’s safe indoors 5 days a week, then it’s safe at the weekend in the garden
4. The law says up to 30 people includes ‘community’ groups - I’d see a local get together as a community group

Problems I’d anticipate depending on the age of your DC - and try to avoid.

1. Late night noise annoying the neighbours and they call the police or council or moan on SM
2. Extra friends turning up taking your over 30
3. Facebook posts and photos after the event with judgy nasty comments
4. Friends coming that don’t attend the same school which does increase the risk

Scientifically speaking, if all attendees are either in your household or in your DC’s school bubble, there is no increased risk from your day to day activities.

Have a good party

Thanks @NameChange2PostThis !!

So ALL the children are in the same bubble at school.

Only child not is my younger DC who is in the same school as them AND siblings of most of the kids coming are in younger DC year.

Some of the kids coming are from 4 sibling families! With children across 3 or 4 year groups at our school. So honestly with the best will in the world it's like the entire school is one big bubble. I won't be inviting outside the school bubble. It's a school friends party.

Thanks guys - we've really stuck to rules so am just wanting to get it right.

OP. So glad you wrote this. My DC turns 21 in Sept. she’d like a party - which we have been promising her for years. Of course we can do the big blow out we have all been talking about but she’s like a marquee in the garden, sit down meal, music and a bartender. For 14 people (including herself).

Not sure we can legally do this and it’s so confusing