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Original poster

So a family of 6 can't have any visitors to their home?

195 replies

covidconfusion · 10/09/2020 11:42

"From Monday 14 September, when meeting friends and family you do not live with you must not meet in a group of more than 6, indoors or outdoors"

Does this mean a family of 6 cannot have any visitors to their home?

Source: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing

On a related note, I really think the government need to improve the clarity of their communication. I don't usually struggle with reading comprehension but I find the guidelines so hard to follow and I know I'm not the only one. Usually I would use my common sense but the guidelines do not follow common sense. If the guidelines are saying what I think they are saying, it means a family of 6 cannot have any visitors but a single person household can have 5 visitors from 5 different households? Really? You have to laugh.

OP posts:
Frazzled13 · 10/09/2020 11:45

If the guidelines are saying what I think they are saying, it means a family of 6 cannot have any visitors but a single person household can have 5 visitors from 5 different households? Really? You have to laugh.

That’s correct, with the exception of having a single adult household as part of a support bubble, which will be allowed. So the family of 6, if they have a single grandparent, they can visit.

Frazzled13 · 10/09/2020 11:46

Also if 5 members of the 6 person household went out, the person left could have 5 people over.

whatswithtodaytoday · 10/09/2020 11:47

Yes, correct. But do you really need visitors to your home? We haven't had anyone else here since March, and doubt we will until next year as we need to keep our family and friends safe.

I honestly had no idea people were having others over to their houses so much! It's such a risk when that's exactly how the virus speads.

Lockdownseperation · 10/09/2020 11:48

I agree it’s not clear at all.

They are now longe guidelines are now laws.

Original poster
covidconfusion · 10/09/2020 11:50

@whatswithtodaytoday

Yes, correct. But do you really need visitors to your home? We haven't had anyone else here since March, and doubt we will until next year as we need to keep our family and friends safe.

I honestly had no idea people were having others over to their houses so much! It's such a risk when that's exactly how the virus speads.

It's not me that wants the visitors around so it suits me fine to be honest.
OP posts:
sorryforswearing · 10/09/2020 11:50

I suppose it’s difficult to cater for everyone’s personal circumstances but its this sort of ridiculousness that makes people ignore the guidelines. I’m sure there are lots of other anomalies.

PineappleUpsideDownCake · 10/09/2020 11:57

we've had friend's kids over but only 1 or 2 at a time which is fine for us.

But we thought it was safer to meet outdoors - hence our family of 4 meeting another family of 4 at a park or for a walk. I can't see how having the kids over is better?!

I'm a bit sad about not going walking with friends.

picklemewalnuts · 10/09/2020 11:57

The rules don't work when individuals are considered. They only work population wide. That means that for any individual they don't look rational, sensible or fair. Across the board however, if followed, they will have a big positive impact.

But we are individuals and struggle to process population wide measures.

bellinisurge · 10/09/2020 11:58

Here in Greater Manchester, we haven't been able to go into each other's home for ages.
Dd hasn't been able to go to her grandparents or her pals.

Showandtell1 · 10/09/2020 11:59

@whatswithtodaytoday

Yes, correct. But do you really need visitors to your home? We haven't had anyone else here since March, and doubt we will until next year as we need to keep our family and friends safe.

I honestly had no idea people were having others over to their houses so much! It's such a risk when that's exactly how the virus speads.

Im amazed you are still at home hiding away tbh It is normal to have visitors so long as it is legal
Original poster
covidconfusion · 10/09/2020 11:59

@sorryforswearing

I suppose it’s difficult to cater for everyone’s personal circumstances but its this sort of ridiculousness that makes people ignore the guidelines. I’m sure there are lots of other anomalies.
Yep, this is true. I sympathise with the government trying to create guidelines in this situation as I imagine it is very complex with lots of variables to consider. However, that said I think there have been so many mishaps in their response. I have complied 110% with the rules up until now but even I am thinking what's the harm in having one visitor around when others can have up to 6 households mingling. I won't do that by the way, I am a complete goody two shoes rule follower. It is just I can foresee that a lot more people will begin to flout the rules.
OP posts:
Tootletum · 10/09/2020 12:01

But don't worry, you can still go to soft play... As long as you don't mix with more than five other adults you know (the ones you don't know and the 200 snotty kids are no risk at all).

toolatetooearly · 10/09/2020 12:07

@picklemewalnuts

The rules don't work when individuals are considered. They only work population wide. That means that for any individual they don't look rational, sensible or fair. Across the board however, if followed, they will have a big positive impact.

But we are individuals and struggle to process population wide measures.

I think this is one of the most insightful comments I've read about this. That's it EXACTLY. There will be a 1000 different contradictions, anomalies, and annoyances with this. But the government don't give a shit about 66 million individuals and their problems, it's about one population.
JellyBabiesSaveLives · 10/09/2020 12:07

Depends really. If your kids are asleep upstairs and you and dh have two friends round, you’ll be meeting in a group of 4, which is fine.

It doesn’t say “max 6 people on your property” because otherwise pubs would be unworkable. It’s the gathering that counts.

As ever, be sensible, keep your total number of contacts low.

whatswithtodaytoday · 10/09/2020 12:09

@Showandtell1 We're not hiding away at home. We've had people over to the garden and have gone for lots of walks with friends and family, gone to playgrounds, gone for coffee (outside). Not hiding, but reducing the risk as much as possible.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 10/09/2020 12:10

And bear in mind that Matt Hancock is comfortable with breaking the law in “specific and limited way”.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 10/09/2020 12:19

@JellyBabiesSaveLives

Depends really. If your kids are asleep upstairs and you and dh have two friends round, you’ll be meeting in a group of 4, which is fine.

It doesn’t say “max 6 people on your property” because otherwise pubs would be unworkable. It’s the gathering that counts.

As ever, be sensible, keep your total number of contacts low.

From what I’ve read the word household applies so others in different rooms or the garden will count.

If they meant six per room the press etc would have been quoting that.

AriettyHomily · 10/09/2020 12:22

I can't be arsed with visitors so I'm fine with it but presumably if you have a household of six and say three are out you can have three visitors?

VivaDixie · 10/09/2020 12:25

@bellinisurge

Here in Greater Manchester, we haven't been able to go into each other's home for ages. Dd hasn't been able to go to her grandparents or her pals.
This is what annoys me, my cousin in a different area is stressing that she and her immediate family will have to hurry up and have their 'sunday lunch piss up' before they go on lockdown.

We on the other side of the country can't even have MIL over for tea (who I love btw and do miss her! Wink )

These new 'stricter' rules aren't even allowed in Greater Manchester

PuppyMonkey · 10/09/2020 12:25

So could you have a gathering of 6 in your living room, and another gathering of 6 in your kitchen and another gathering of 6 in your garden and possibly yet another gathering of 6 in the kids’ bedroom? Grin

cassgate · 10/09/2020 12:27

The reality is the government know that people will ignore it here and there to visit family and but they can’t say it. With universities going back It’s the only way they could think off to stop large gatherings of young people outside educational settings and stop the large rave like gatherings.

Funkypolar · 10/09/2020 12:27

One of you could stand on the driveway?

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 10/09/2020 12:28

My friends situation. 2 parents, 5 children. 2 eldest at university, 3 at home. Are the 2 eldest unable to stay at their home at the same time, since officially they aren't in the household anymore?

FTMF30 · 10/09/2020 12:31

@sorryforswearing

I suppose it’s difficult to cater for everyone’s personal circumstances but its this sort of ridiculousness that makes people ignore the guidelines. I’m sure there are lots of other anomalies.
This is why I really don't care about these supposed rules or guidelines anymore.

Will I be packing 50 people into my living room for an all bight rave? No. But if I want friends/family round which totals just over 6 people, so be it. How can we be encouraged to go to work,school,pubs restaurants, etc. but are told we can't have morethan 6 in a household? It's ridiculous.

Cherrybalm · 10/09/2020 12:31

what @cassgate said pretty much. this new rule couldnt be more aimed at younger people if it tried, matt Hancock has all but said it and blamed that generation (even though he was encouraging my age group to get back out there and enjoy ourselves last month Hmm sooo convenient)