If under a local lockdown, can you leave the area?

[JalapenoCheeseOnToast]

Just as the title says really.

DD's birthday is next month and we were planning a small family gathering (and had been for a while). Understandably, this has now been cancelled under the rule of 6. MIL and FIL have earmarked themselves to come and visit on the actual day whilst my DM has been "allocated" the following weekend. DM is understandably a bit upset to miss the day but she would accept it, especially as there isn't anything much we can do.

PIL live in the North East, in an area that has recently been placed under further restrictions such as pubs closing early and limited mixing. They are in a support bubble with SIL and BIL. DM asked today if I think they will still come as they are under extra restrictions but DM isn't and if they couldn't come, she would actually like to be able to spend the day with us.

I think PIL will be coming, regardless of whether they should or not, and I don't feel able to suggest they don't and then have my DM instead if there isn't actually any rules to say they can't, IYKWIM. MIL is very forthright and headstrong and I am not naturally very confrontational so I find I just nod and agree (we usually get along famously so I haven't really found this to be a problem).

I can't talk to DH about it as he just shuts off, he is sick off all this Covid stuff, says he believes we have all had it anyway and not known and he doesn't want to restrict his parents from coming as the pubs and restaurants are still open anyway so whats the point in following the rules (his words). He also says he doesn't see the difference in when the day is celebrated (and yet also says he would be sad for his parents to miss out - he doesn't see the irony).

I am a rule follower, and I will comply whether I necessarily agree or not, but this is really getting me down and I don't have anyone else to ask about it.

Both sets cannot visit the same weekend as DM is 3.5 hours away and PIL are 4.5 hours away so it would be a weekend visit.

TL:DR both parents and PIL want to visit for DDs birthday, can the PIL that are under NE restrictions still come?

If anyone challenges them, they just need to say they're going to/coming from a mass gathering protest. There's a big one in London today and bound to be others coming up. No masks required either as it's the conspiracy theory anti vaxxer, anti mask gang.

In England you can, in wales you can’t without good reason

If you are in a "lockdown" (special restrictions) area in England, you are allowed to leave the area, but you are not allowed to meet other households in a private home. That applies even if the home in question isn't in an area under special restrictions. That is law rather than advisory. The police will be able to issue fixed penalty notices.

You are advised not to meet other households in public areas.

In England you can, in wales you can’t without good reason In England you can leave the area but you can't meet in someone's home (including in holiday accommodation) even if the home isn't in an area under special restrictions.

can the PIL that are under NE restrictions still come? They can come, they can meet you in public (as long as there aren't more than 6 of you in total) but are advised not to, but they can't come into your house.

No. They can’t come and stay in your house

Your PILs live in England, so they’re allowed to leave the north east if they want.

However, as they live in a lockdown are, they are not allowed to meet up in someone else’s home / garden even if it’s outside the northeast.

How can two people form a support bubble with another two people???

The restrictions for the north east are here www.gov.uk/guidance/north-east-of-england-local-restrictions

so the answer is probably not.

More to the point how old are all these people? Your dd will, hopefully, have other birthdays. Unless the inlaws contract covid they will be able to visit on other days.

Why are they not playing their part in restricting the spread of infection?

You can leave the area but you can’t mix with anyone else in any other households. Same rules apply as to the area they live in.

So technically they can’t come to your house. There is also no such thing as a bubble between two couples either. It’s one household with one single person: it’s a support bubble. So I doubt they’ll take no for an answer.....

You’re situation sounds so much like my situation, with similar mil and dh.

I completely relate to how you feel as I am a rule follower too but dh is more relaxed.

Personally I’d probably postpone, especially if both sets of parents are older and dc is in school/nursery as that would probably keep the peace.

On a separate note, it sounds like your PIL don’t understand bubbles, as aren’t they for single people only?

#your

Your PILa can't come and stay at your house. Your DH needs to step up and tell them that!

@JalapenoCheeseOnToast Your PIL should not be in a support bubble with another couple.

On a separate note, it sounds like your PIL don’t understand bubbles, as aren’t they for single people only? Yes, one of the households has to be a single adult household.

I don’t understand how it’s so difficult to understand a support bubble is for single adult households.

PIL can’t be in a support bubble with SIL and BIL? Support bubbles are only for single adult households. Why do people make up their own rules

NE restrictions - they cannot meet people they do not live with in their home or garden, whether inside or outside the affected local areas, unless they’re in your support or childcare bubble

I’d say no. Whether you can find the assertiveness to do so is up to you.

We can't meet anyone in our house or garden.
We've been free of this for 2 weeks since March.
I got to see my new gd, but alas we are back in lockdown and dd hasn't been able to meet her new niece.
At the risk of being removed yet again, there really is no need for all this restriction.

Thanks everyone, sorry I'm replying generally, rather than specifically.

It sounds like actually they shouldn't be staying so I'll keep an eye on the situation and will have to have some tough conversations (if they remain in extra restrictions).

For those questioning the "bubble" - I know they aren't in a proper bubble as it should be, it is merely what they decided - they stayed apart for the first 2 weeks of lockdown and then decided they couldn't be apart any longer. Unfortunately they don't see anything wrong with that but they are quite hypocritical and it can be problematic I.e. complaining about the reckless people going out to restaurants and seeing random people....and then seeing plenty of people themselves and booking to go to a restaurant "because it's BIL's birthday".

I work in a primary school and I've not been too quiet on the fact that I think it especially important that I stick to the rules so that may help...and also the rumours of another mini lockdown anyway.

Thanks again!