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?

Logically I’d say it’s fine, there will be fewer than 6 of you meeting up

@treebarking good point!! I have actually been really cautious. Haven’t been to a pub for example and only met up with a couple of friends, socially distanced in gardens.Just trying to understand the nature of the law.

@Cocklepops it was discussed on the Today programme on Radio 4 the other day with a govt minister. That’s what they said.

The only you could get away with it I suspect would if your property was really split into two with separate front door, bathroom, kitchen etc.

Out of interest, how do people feel things change if we were in the garden and my friends didn’t enter the house at all?

Out of interest, how do people feel things change if we were in the garden and my friends didn’t enter the house at all?

I suspect illegal again I am afraid . If you had a strange garden with its own entrance to the road that guests entered and no easy entrance from the house you were in, you might get away with it.

I am in Scotland.

I thought it was 6 from no more than 2 households. So it would not work on that basis as you would be 5 households.

From the govt website:
"It means that – apart from a set of limited exemptions including work and education – any social gatherings of more than six people will be against the law."
Your family aren't part of the social gathering.

@Peasbewithyou

Out of interest, how do people feel things change if we were in the garden and my friends didn’t enter the house at all?

But your garden is still part of your dwelling. It's illogical, yes, but still illegal.

Why do people have to keep trying to find loopholes in everything?

completely legal

The relevant bit of the law is in order to engage in any form of social interaction with each other, or to undertake any other activity with each other.

Your dh and kids aren’t there for that purpose, they just live there. You’ve got 5 people gathering for social integration and 4 people “in the same place” but clearly not involved in the gathering.

Although if you’ve got snoopy snitchy neighbours I might be inclined to have that bit of the legislation printed out ready!

Illegal but not a police priority to worry about, and not immoral. As you say, you could meet those same people elsewhere so no greater transmission risk. So depends how much a stickler for the rules you are.

@Cismyfatarse

I am in Scotland.

I thought it was 6 from no more than 2 households. So it would not work on that basis as you would be 5 households.

Different rule in England.

Sorry, interaction. Integration may be too close for social distancing purposes

@notevenat20 we have a side gate entrance to the garden so no need to enter the house. Or we could sit on the front driveway! Prob won’t do this anyway as it will be dark and cold but I was curious.

Illegal, but having 4 friends around while DH takes the kids out would be fine.....makes no sense, but very little of the messaging does.....

Here you go

Really really not illegal at all in any way

@vanillandhoney not trying to find a loophole! Trying to understand what is actually correct and will male a decision after that.

I’m such a goody two shoes rule follower I have a real problem with doing anything “illegal” even when I think it’s illogical

The relevant bit of the law is in order to engage in any form of social interaction with each other, or to undertake any other activity with each other. Your dh and kids aren’t there for that purpose, they just live there.

I had a similar idea but no. The courts will not want to make a mockery of the law and the clear intention of parliament. I think this comes under the "mischief rule" in UK law.

Thanks @JellyBabiesSaveLives that does make it sound pretty clear cut!

@lifesalongsong

As 9 is greater than 6 it's not allowed

This 👆

Do it OP. It’s a ridiculous, inconsistent rule anyway. I just wouldn’t advertise the fact!

@Cookerhood

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.

Our book club is cancelled because we are a group of 10.

This just really confirms the route of problem were allowed 6 and op wants 9 and hell bent on finding a way round .
business have covid policies private houses don't

Maybe I will purchase some red jackets or tweeds and we can be planning out eeeken hunt! (Now that’s a loophole).

Whether it's illegal or not why would you do it?

Have a read of the NHS staff worrying about the 2nd wave.

Meet one friend. Maybe 2 if you really need to.

But why on earth so many?