Is this allowed under “group of 6”?

[Peasbewithyou]

Can I have 4 friends over one evening (socially distanced - we have open plan downstairs so space isn’t an issue), while DH & 3 kids are upstairs? The kids would be sleeping and DH either watching TV or working. So in the house would be a total of 9 people but on totally different floors and there are toilets on both floors so is it several “groups” so no reason for anyone to come into contact with anyone else.

It seems a bit ridiculous when if we went to a pub there could be another who knows how many people there sitting in groups just a metre or so away!

So would this be legal or illegal?

Can't you go to their house instead?

They are meeting - it's meeting or socialising in groups of 6. I wouldn't think twice if they aren't going to meet. In fact, we will do the same when we have book club.

Do you have the link for that Bluewavescrashing? I haven't seen such specific and unequivocal guidance.

@vanillandhoney potentially could go to their house but all bar one also have 3 kids and a DH. So am curious if we will be able to meet over the next few months!

Here's the relevant definition:

a “private dwelling” includes any garden, yard, passage, stair, outhouse or other appurtenance of the dwelling.

And the legislation:

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/684

Ah thanks @ChaChaCha2012

From government website...no mention of children asleep

When seeing friends and family you do not live with you should:

meet in groups of 6 or less
follow social distancing rules
limit how many different people you see socially over a short period of time
meet people outdoors where practical: meeting people outdoors is safer than meeting people indoors because fresh air provides better ventilation
Limits on the number of people you can see socially have changed. From Monday 14 September, when meeting friends and family you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) you must not meet in a group of more than 6, indoors or outdoors. This is against the law and the police will have the powers to enforce these legal limits, including to issue fines (fixed penalty notices) of £100, doubling for further breaches up to a maximum of £3,200.

I'm a single parent with 3 kids, so there are 4 of us already in my house. But I put the kids to sleep and then invite 4 friends over (so 5 of us socialising, but 8 in the house), and I think that's totally fine. The gathering is less than 6, it's a group smaller than 6. The fact there are 3 sleeping kids upstairs is irrelevant. You'd never get prosecuted for it in reality even if somehow the police did knock and check.

It's not clear is it ? But it's safer than meeting your friends in a pub where you are squashed together in the same table so I would probably do it .

But also

(6) For the purposes of this regulation [F36, regulation 5A and regulation 5B]—

(a)there is a gathering when two or more people are present together in the same place in order to engage in any form of social interaction with each other, or to undertake any other activity with each other;

Thanks all. I agree police would ask you to disperse before taking further action anyway.

Just had a speed skim of the legislation and I don’t think DH and the kids could be considered part of our “gathering”. Since they won’t even be in the same room at any point. I mean DH could pop his head in and say hi but that’s still only 6 so that’s ok.

But the prohibition is on the "gathering" and the definition of dwelling isn't really relevant if the kids are upstairs asleep not in the gathering ...

Just all go grouse shooting and you’re fine.

I think the focus should be on the 'gathering' not the people in the property. As long as this is 6 or fewer then it would seem to obey the rule.

I would agree @captisbirdie

Clear as mud

@DCIRozHuntley I would interpret “same place” as in the same room, breathing the same air, touching the same objects. I think upstairs could be a different place?

x post captis

[quote Peasbewithyou]@vanillandhoney potentially could go to their house but all bar one also have 3 kids and a DH. So am curious if we will be able to meet over the next few months![/quote]
Tbh, I think it's supposed to be difficult so you don't meet much really.

This thread alone is showing just how crystal clear the “rule of 6” really is!

It is perfectly clear, it’s just people here seem to want to find some loophole.

Will there be more than six in your home? If so then it’s a no. It isn’t written that other people can be in the home as long as they are upstairs, or in the kitchen or wherever.

I can't see an issue if the 'other party' is upstairs AND you have a downstairs toilet.
(I have not yet have time to read the complete parliamentary bill but I am pretty sure that that important detail will be buried in there somewhere)
Interesting if you class it as 'a hunt with hounds' rather than a get together you'll be OK. Do any of your friends have a dog per chance they could bring along?

I do like that people have already decided how the police will deal with anyone found breaking this law. Am greatly amused.

But it isn't super clear is it. It says meeting in a group. The dh and dc aren't meeting them. They are absent.

@Cocklepops

I do like that people have already decided how the police will deal with anyone found breaking this law. Am greatly amused.

I imagine they’ll deal with it how they’ve dealt with all breaches since the pandemic began. A warning (asking them to disperse) followed by a fine for non compliance.

That's pretty clearly illegal I am afraid. You would have to argue that you are not in the same place as your children and I don't think you would have any luck with that.