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Original poster

Will the new law on social gatherings make you reconsider your activities?

684 replies

Redolent · 08/09/2020 22:48

Yes or no?

OP posts:
NG345 · 09/09/2020 09:53

Baby groups come under education I think...and this is the current government wording..These settings provide enriching activities that give children the opportunity to socialise with others outside their household and promote their wellbeing. They say that they can run in groups of 15 with precautions in place and to speak to your childcare/baby group provider. However with the new restrictions I think groups of 6 will be ok?

VanGoghsDog · 09/09/2020 09:54

I'm glad the "two households" thing has gone, I live alone so I am an expensive single guest, taking up the second household spot!!

Frazzled2207 · 09/09/2020 09:55

@Roomba
My kids also attend stagecoach. I do think this could legitimately come under “education” which will be an exemption so keeping everything crossed. The point is stagecoach and other such activities have guidelines that they have to follow so it can be done much more safely than, say, having lots of people over to your house

DrCoconut · 09/09/2020 09:55

I now have to choose who comes to DS's birthday. His father (my ex) or his grandparents. There are 4 of us at home so both would be 7. And no friends either.

OpenlyGayExOlympicFencer · 09/09/2020 09:56

I wonder when we will get the actual legislation?

Racoonworld · 09/09/2020 09:57

Do people think small babies will be included in the 6?

Ranunculi · 09/09/2020 09:58

I am thrilled! Guidance was always 6 people but loads of selfish snowflakes were ignoring it and whinging “but the law says 30”. Now the law has been updated to match the guidance, hopefully putting a stop to the stupidity and selfishness.

JeanBodel · 09/09/2020 10:02

I have read the thread. Appear to be in a minority, but yes, we are changing our plans to comply with new guidelines. Have just cancelled friends coming over as we are two households of 8.

We will follow the guidance.

annlee3817 · 09/09/2020 10:02

@DrCoconut if it helps we staggered my Dd's birthday, had my grandmother over in the morning for a birthday breakfast, and then my brother came over for lunch when my grandmother had gone home, so we never exceeded the six at any one time, could you split the day like that?

JeanBodel · 09/09/2020 10:03

*two households of 4, making 8

GabsAlot · 09/09/2020 10:03

it was so confusing i thought it was 6 anyway well indoors-only once have i been in a group of 8 outside

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 09/09/2020 10:06

@Ranunculi - that’s incorrect. The current guidelines allow you to socialise indoors or outdoors in groups which consist of 2 households. In fact they specifically state that “gatherings larger than six should only take place if everyone is exclusively from two households or support bubbles.”

FizzyGreenWater · 09/09/2020 10:07

No idea what 'the rules' are

I don't take advice from this shower of inexperienced juniors who make up our so-called Govt - why would I -it's absolutely clear that they have no idea what to do, can't communicate either with us or scientific advisors, and I wouldn't trust that any advice they gave didn't have a political motive that wouldn't necessarily be in my best interests - the Tories do not care about 'people' or 'society' - we know this.

Personally I am still generally distancing, certainly haven't been in a group of more than 6-10 people, all distanced, since this began.

I assume this new ruling will have repercussions for all the clubs etc which were just at the point of planning openings, more than anything.

And the twats will still do exactly as they wish.

knittingaddict · 09/09/2020 10:09

Out of interest, why do people think that the virus trumps a single parent's mental health?

primabloodydonna my daughter is a single parent. Her mental health will definitely take a down turn if the school has to close because some people can't put limits on their socialising.

I know some don't like the budget idea, but I can see why it makes sense to others, me included. Top priority should be schools and jobs and, other than that, contact has to be controlled. It doesn't need to be all or nothing. There can be a middle ground, but it seems some are too lacking in social conscience to even consider it.

Juststopswimming · 09/09/2020 10:11

@HarryLimeFoxtrot

This is crazy. DH and I can meet our neighbours for lunch. Because that’s only 4 people (we’re all WFH and have been for 6 months). Our DD is in the same bubble at school as their DD, so they spend the day together. Our DS is in the same bubble at school as their DS, so they also spend the day together. But we can’t all meet up for dinner or for lunch at the weekend (after this weekend) - not even in the garden as that is 8 people. Even though we’ve all been in contact with each other perfectly legally anyway in smaller groups that same day HmmConfused
we have the same issue. Its utterly illogical, so I am planning to make my own interpretation of the rules in situations like this.

What do people think is safer - the above situation, or 6 individuals all coming from separate households? Ludicrous rules.

Racoonworld · 09/09/2020 10:12

@knittingaddict

Out of interest, why do people think that the virus trumps a single parent's mental health?

primabloodydonna my daughter is a single parent. Her mental health will definitely take a down turn if the school has to close because some people can't put limits on their socialising.

I know some don't like the budget idea, but I can see why it makes sense to others, me included. Top priority should be schools and jobs and, other than that, contact has to be controlled. It doesn't need to be all or nothing. There can be a middle ground, but it seems some are too lacking in social conscience to even consider it.

The problem is though that everyone has a different idea of what is more important, And different things are better fit different people’s mental health. I don’t care if the schools are open, actually I’d prefer it if they weren’t as they are huge spreaders. I’d rather we were allowed to meet others in larger groups.
NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 09/09/2020 10:13

@Lockdownseperation

No, the law is the same at the guidelines which were already in place so there is no need for my family to change their behaviour.
No, the law is not the same as the guidelines that were in place. You are a prime example of someone who can't be bothered to read/listen correctly.

unmarkedbythat · 09/09/2020 10:15

My activity now is the same as it has been throughout the pandemic. I go to work. I go to Asda/ Aldi. I go for walks. The only change is now the dc are able to go to school. Even if we go back to peak lockdown (which I doubt, but it may happen) I will still be coming to work and shopping for food and little else.

LadyCatStark · 09/09/2020 10:15

No because I thought the rules were 6 from 2 households. I have no idea when it became possible to hold parties for 30 people??? I thought that was just for weddings and funerals.

MJMG2015 · 09/09/2020 10:16

@WeatherObsessed

I'm struggling with my mental health but yes, I will still be changing my plans. My mental health will be no better from experiencing high numbers of deaths and mass bereavement. During the first peak there were people losing both parents from Covid, young children not getting to see a parent before they died, parents unable to attend their child's funeral, healthcare workers dying on their own wards, doctors breaking down having informed a relative over the phone that their next of kin had died. A return to this and more will not help my mental health or anyone else who's affected.
I'm sorry your MH is bad. I hope you can get some help with it/find things that help you x

It's good to see that there are still some people who have not forgotten how bad it was & how bad it could become again. Let's hope we aren't the minority in the real world. & hopefully someone if the gobby tears saying it they'll just carry on doing what they want will come to their senses!!

Ranunculi · 09/09/2020 10:19

Ranunculi - that’s incorrect. The current guidelines allow you to socialise indoors or outdoors in groups which consist of 2 households
Guidance is 2 households OR 6 from multiple households. But people were selfishly ignoring that because “it’s only guidance, the law actually says max 30 people”. So now the law has been updated to match the guidance. No more loopholes: it’s very clear that only 6 people are allowed.

PerveenMistry · 09/09/2020 10:20

@Ranunculi

I am thrilled! Guidance was always 6 people but loads of selfish snowflakes were ignoring it and whinging “but the law says 30”. Now the law has been updated to match the guidance, hopefully putting a stop to the stupidity and selfishness.

Agree!

MJMG2015 · 09/09/2020 10:21

@KindKylie

Does this affect childcare? They're not work or education?

How about clubs like drama? I'd had emails from my DC clubs that they were planning to start up. They do dance and drama - neither are 'team sports' but will they be covered by the education exemption? Lots of their friends are back at things like gymnastics - that's not a team sport?

Park Run announced that they were aiming to start up again - that's definitely not happening now!

We won't be able to meet any friends or family again. We had only ever been 2 households but seeing the dc with their cousins has been lovely.

Why not? Why do you ALL have to meet every time. One adult from each family and 4 of the kids.

I personally think it's better not to meet up, but if you really must you can just meet in smaller groups & still be within the rules.

FWIW I think the 'two families' thing was better, BUT too many people abused that & police had no way to prove it (on the spot) so thank those fuckwits, for the new (Less logical but simpler to enforce Rules).

TeaLibrary · 09/09/2020 10:21

I think the nonsensical bollocks guidance is a thorough shambles. The government have made clear that on the one hand they want us all gathering in our offices /pubs/ restaurants to keep the economy going but on the other hand now want to make it illegal for more than 6 people to gather socially. The government are hypocrites who want to keep shoving us back into crammed work spaces and don't give a monkeys about spreading it in the workplace but when it comes to life outside work they want to control who we gather with.

LouiseNW · 09/09/2020 10:22

Ellsbells12

“No I didn't even realise it had gone about 6 I am past caring“

Succinctly sums up the problem. Too many people who don’t think it will directly affect them are. Hence the rise.