Are we allowed 7 people in our house in different rooms?

[Firefliess]

DSD and her BF have come to stay this weekend. We also have DD and DSS and me and DH at home, so that makes 6 of us. DD wants her BF to stay over tomorrow night. I can't figure out whether that's allowed or not. It would mean 7 people in the house, but in no sense would we be "gathering" DD and her BF would get in late and go straight to her room. Rest of us probably we wouldn't even see him. Is that allowed? Or are people considered to be "gathering" simply by being in the same house? We're in England by the way and not in an area with any local lockdown

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Ok Care to elaborate?

Pretty sure children under certain age don't count as part of the 6. How old are your other children? It seems unfair on larger families.

It's 6 people in a house or garden so it wouldn't be allowed.

The answer is no.

6 people in a house including grounds. All humans count as one in England. Even twins. Pets are not counted even though your cat may be Covid positive.

No. All live human bodies in your house count.

I..don't know actually. It's a really good question! If you're not in a local lockdown area and really won't want a big family meal or anything.. maybe?

Children do count in England @converseandjeans

@swg1

I..don't know actually. It's a really good question! If you're not in a local lockdown area and really won't want a big family meal or anything.. maybe?

Are you kidding?!

In England kids count.

It's very clear that the rule of 6 is for the home including garden. Unless you had a wholly separate entrance and no shared facilities you would be in breach of the rule.

pimble really? I thought Gove had changed this few days ago.

Don't think the ages matter in England but youngest is 17 anyway. It's just that when I tried to look at both the legislation (pretty impenetrable) and summary they both talk about "gatherings" in private homes, rather than "people" in private homes, so seems more to be saying don't have a party with 7 people. Can anyone point me to somewhere where they spell out that it's just the number of people in the house that matters? DD is arguing with me about both the law and the logic of it and would help to point to something clearer if there is

You could each take it in turns to sit on a deckchair in the street, rotating throughout the night.

No, @PinkkLady I'm just in a Local Lockdown area where I'm allowed to see no-one apart from my bubble so oddly enough it hasn't come up!

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

Unfortunately it does look like it's not allowed.

No. All live human bodies in your house count.

Ooohhh- I really want to have some mates over and I'm not that keen on my eldest.

No. Hth.

No

@raddledoldmisanthropist

It's just that when I tried to look at both the legislation (pretty impenetrable) and summary they both talk about "gatherings" in private homes, rather than "people" in private homes, so seems more to be saying don't have a party with 7 people. Can anyone point me to somewhere where they spell out that it's just the number of people in the house that matters?

I think they imagine that people who genuinely don't understand that this means no more than 6 people in a house will be looked after by someone who can explain it to them.

The 'gathering' isnt a bug cosy sit down in the living room sharing stories, the gathering is more than 6 people in your house, touching front door, communal room things, handrail on the stairs, opening the fridge door, uaing the bathroom etc etc etc. Never mind actually bumping into eachother in the kitchen/hall/sitting room etc.

More than 6 is not allowed.

Flipping Nora, how hard is it to count to 6? I mean, I know the rule are crap/divisive/frustrating (delete as applicable).

But I fail to understand how anyone can not count to 6!!

Just in case of doubt - no, it’s not ok. 7 is more than 6.

Six people only. 7th person would be allowed if they lived alone and were in your bubble.
It really isn't that difficult.

@raddledoldmisanthropist

It's just that when I tried to look at both the legislation (pretty impenetrable) and summary they both talk about "gatherings" in private homes, rather than "people" in private homes, so seems more to be saying don't have a party with 7 people. Can anyone point me to somewhere where they spell out that it's just the number of people in the house that matters?

I think they imagine that people who genuinely don't understand that this means no more than 6 people in a house will be looked after by someone who can explain it to them.

..... 😂😂

I think if this got to court a court would find that since, in law,
“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" your circumstances would not breach the rule of six. This is because you do not intend to engage in any social interaction or activity with your DD's BF. I don't think a reasonable person would interpret gathering, in its usual sense, to mean groups of people in different rooms not interacting with each other.

Adam Wagner's (a human rights lawyer) opinion is that if children are asleep in bed they are not part of a gathering. I'm also a solicitor and think this is correct and would apply in your circumstances.

The police and government might disagree but the courts have overturned many of the covid related fines issued so far and I can see the same applying here.