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

No only 6 including children in England. Different in Scotland and Wales

@Susanw1985

Haven’t read all comments so don’t know if it’s been asked but what if you have 5 kids? Does husband have to go live in the shed??we have 4 so no visitors for us!

Why don't you read the government website for these answers?

You've had it spelt out several times by several people.

The answer is no. Stop looking for a loophole because the rules apply to you the same as everyone else.

I get the 6 in the house but what would you do in this ?

My friend is a nanny. Both parents wfh and 3 kids so nanny in no 6

The cleaner comes and ironing lady on same day Tho different rooms

That’s 7&8

Plus she had a play date so tech was 9

Do the workers /staff not count ?

Those saying “the answer is no” where are you getting that answer from? Because I dont see that on reading the legislation or the guidance yet you seem so certain?

What if we all did this? Everyone thinks they are an exception...... and this is why we are never going to get out of this covid crap!!!!! Can people just follow the bloody rules please?! As a vulnerable person I would LIKE TO BE ABLE TO LEWVE THE HOUSE AGAIN ONE DAY! Thank you 🤬

To all the posters who are late to the party, it seems that the legal wording actually does allow for more than 6 in a house as long as they are not gathered in a group.

Whether people should do that is a different question. Personally I think it's bonkers at the moment.

So what would happen to a family of 7? Two parents, and 5 kids. All adult age? But everyone still lives at parents home?

@PepsiMaxCherry

So what would happen to a family of 7? Two parents, and 5 kids. All adult age? But everyone still lives at parents home?

Obviously the least favourite of the seven would have to leave or be murdered by the rest - at their legal gathering of 6.

@PepsiMaxCherry

So what would happen to a family of 7? Two parents, and 5 kids. All adult age? But everyone still lives at parents home?

One person has to stay in a separate room at all times.

I jest. Of course that is fine.

@PepsiMaxCherry

So what would happen to a family of 7? Two parents, and 5 kids. All adult age? But everyone still lives at parents home?

The rule of 6 requires all households of more than 6 to summarily banish all extra persons. Households may choose which people to banish or, if they are unable to agree amongst themselves can consult with a Covid marshall to make the final decision. While making this decision the Covid marshall will take into account 1) Each person's ability to count up to 6 2) Their knowledge of the legal definition of the word "gathering"

If your daughter's boyfriend climbs in through the upstairs window, doesn't leave the bedroom and then exits the same way you should be fine. Perhaps provide some sort of bedpan if no en suite is available.

Alternatively perhaps pay him to do some odd jobs, keep your distance, and you've got a covid secure workplace.

@PepsiMaxCherry

So what would happen to a family of 7? Two parents, and 5 kids. All adult age? But everyone still lives at parents home?

They live together. They are allowed to be in their own home together.

@FelicisNox

You've had it spelt out several times by several people.

The answer is no. Stop looking for a loophole because the rules apply to you the same as everyone else.

On the contrary. Just because several people say something does not make it true. You are making up what the rules actually require.

People with legal qualifications have explained very clearly that the answer is yes and that this isn't a loophole. The law specifically allows more than six people to be in a house at one time so long as they are not in gatherings of more than six. In the scenario OP poses, they won't be.

Definitely not. This rule is the one that’s really, really clear.

Yes, the lawyers have quoted the law and everyone should not agree the regulations are clear - you can if they are not gathering.
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/684/regulation/5
It is all about Regulation 5(6) as amended:

"5 (6) For the purposes of this regulation [F20, 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; "

A sleeping child is not engaged in an activity with you. However if the visitor goes up to see the sleeping baby upstairs in my view that could be a breach as it is an activity - viewing the baby.

Looking after a child is an activity, therefore the parents are in breach. Stop looking for loopholes, focus on facts - as a population, we need to reduce the spread of the virus. You can do your part, or not, but at least be conscious of why there are these new laws and consider your own behaviour in that light.

Hilarious thread.
The suggestion that all the extra people and those who actually live in the house will never cross paths or speak to each other is unrealistic. It doesnt have to be a party to be classed as a gathering.
If people want to interpret gathering differently they are the ones looking for a legal reason to increase the risk with >6. How lovely and selfish of them. .

@MRex

Looking after a child is an activity, therefore the parents are in breach. Stop looking for loopholes, focus on facts - as a population, we need to reduce the spread of the virus. You can do your part, or not, but at least be conscious of why there are these new laws and consider your own behaviour in that light.

But their visitors aren't looking after the child, therefore at no point is there a gathering that includes the child.

The scenario that I am pondering is where dc are in bed. So they are upstairs (house very large). They early teen so unlikely to need me and dh upstairs too. If I have friends round for an hour or so on my reading the non present dc do not count into the 6 as they are not part of the gathering.

focus on facts - as a population, we need to reduce the spread of the virus

OK, seeing as people are refusing to acknowledge what the law actually says, lets do that.

What exactly is the risk of transmission between two people who never meet and there are no common 'touch points' (the OP has said that the DD has an ensuite room, so the boyfriend doesn't need to use the family bathroom).

Even if he coughs the virus all over DD while they are in her bedroom and the OP licks her clothes before washing them, he could also do that if they stayed somewhere else but people would be fine with that because it doesn't break the rule of 6 guideline.

Buy adult dog outfit. If police turn up insist it is your pet.

N.B. you may need additional outfits if there are more people present but take care that you don't fall foul of the licensing rules for a boarding kennels.

And if someone comes in your home with covid the virus spores may well be left behind for the children to breathe in when they get out of bed the next morning.
It all depends on your attitude to the virus.
I had it in April and my legs are agony to the point i am struggling walking. This may not be connectedjust something that has occurred since.. But the point is - is that worth risking for a teens sleepover.

Who are these magical children who've never once come down the stairs at night needing something? A drink, a snack, they feel ill, they lost a book, they heard voices and want to say hi etc. Never met them myself. I wouldn't fancy testing the principle in court either, that could get expensive. Carry on though ladies, it's not as though there's a pandemic or anything like that.

Echoing other posters, I don't understand why so many on here are determined to interpret the law more stringently than it's intended. The OP's situation really doesn't sound like "a gathering" of more than six, if there are 5 and 2 under the same roof.