Please can you clarify the rules in this situation?

[kezziethecat]

A family member has a holiday house which we are able to use quite a bit. We were planning on going there in half term. We are in tier 2 and the holiday house is in tier 1. My parents live very close to the holiday house, in fact, this is the main reason we go there and the main way we see them. They also use the holiday house frequently and are largely responsible for its upkeep in return.
Can we still go to the holiday house? When there can we meet my parents? Does this have to be outside or can they come into the holiday house if they want to? If we go out for the day can we go to a cafe together or just stay outside? Just want to be sure of the rules before going as my parents are very laidback about it all and will pressure us to break them.

I'm confused as much as you tbh. This government are a shambles!

It's so confusing. I've looked at the guidelines and just can't find anything to clarify it.

I'd follow the rules where I was staying (and there are no laws a out leaving high risk areas just guidelines) so six people would be fine.
I don't agree with this tho, but the fault lies with Boris.

If you are in a tier 2 area you can travel but still not meet other households indoors. You can meet.outdoors.

www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high#travel

You can still go to the holiday house as long as you aren’t travelling with anyone outside your household. And you can’t meet indoors with people outside the area. So you would be able to meet with your parents as long as it is outside and you are maintaining social distancing.

This one really shouldn't be confusing.

You follow the rules for the tier where you live, or the tier you are visiting, whichever is the higher

So yes, you can go, but no you cannot see anyone indoors.

@Wannabangbang @kezziethecat
The rules are clearly listed on the govt website and on BBC website:
www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-levels-what-you-need-to-know

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-54373904

@kezziethecat
You are in Tier 2 so cannot mix households. It doesn't get much clearer than that. You can travel to the holiday home in Tier 1 but that does not mean you then follow tier 1 rules. You follow the rules for the higher tier of where you live and where you visit.

You can visit the holiday home but cannot meet up inside any setting with people outside of your household. So you cannot meet up inside the holiday home or inside a cafe with your parents.

Your parents cannot visit the holiday home at the same time as you.

You can only meet up with them in an outside setting.

If you know they will pressurise you to break the law then you would be stupid to go.

Don’t the rules say you should avoid staying overnight in an area in very high alert if you are resident somewhere else

@Crockof
I'd follow the rules where I was staying (and there are no laws a out leaving high risk areas just guidelines) so six people would be fine.
The OP isn't asking what other posters would do though. They want to be sure of what they are allowed to do under current rules/laws.
Yes, travelling is allowed. No, she shouldn't follow the rules of a lower tier area. No, 6 are not allowed in these circumstances.

Okay thank you everyone. Definitely helped clarify that for me

Tier 2 therefore can’t mix with another household. Whether your parents do the upkeep for the holiday house is sadly irrelevant.

Sorry, that was snippy. Not been permitted to see my parents for months now & feeling strained this morning.

@ineedaholidaynow

Don’t the rules say you should avoid staying overnight in an area in very high alert if you are resident somewhere else
Yes. For example, for people who live in tier 2:
"You should also avoid travelling to any part of the country subject to very high local COVID alert levels."

You can go away. But you follow the rules of whatever tier you fall under at home. So you can meet them but outside and rule of 6.

@SexTrainGlue

This one really shouldn't be confusing.

You follow the rules for the tier where you live, or the tier you are visiting, whichever is the higher

So yes, you can go, but no you cannot see anyone indoors.

Exactly!

Have the government phrased it that clearly anywhere? If they have I think it would save a lot of confusion.

Pretty clear guidance here

www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-levels-what-you-need-to-know#local-covid-alert-level-very-high

For tier 1 - very high

• you should try to avoid travelling outside the very high alert level area you are in or entering a very high alert level area, other than for things like work, education or youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if you are travelling through as part of a longer journey
• you must not socialise with anybody you do not live with or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events
• you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or a sports venue

Yes you can go.

You can see your parents outside, assuming there are no more than 4 in your immediate family.

No they cannot go into the house.

I agree with Rafa - everyone is saying "follow the rules of whichever area is a higher tier" but I haven't seen that crystal clear in the rules. The guidance above is for Tier 3 which the OP isn't in. And how long does that last? If I quarantine for two weeks somewhere in Tier 1 can I then adopt tier 1 rules?

ohidoliketobe Tier 1 is the lowest tier. You mean tier 3, highest risk area.

There's 4 in my family so with my parents we would be 6. I just wasn't sure about the inside thing. I get it now that I have to take the rules of my tier with me so stay outside. So no cafes, restaurants or inside the holiday house but garden is fine I presume?

Doyouremember - it is that crystal clear in the legislation but you’re right, it would be helpful if the govt phrased it like that in the advice, since that is the law.

You’re allowed to move house, so you can go live in a tier 1 area and follow their rules if you like. I recommended Folkestone & Hythe.

In tier 2 you can socialise in the garden in groups of up to 6, yes

@RafaIsTheKingOfClay

Have the government phrased it that clearly anywhere? If they have I think it would save a lot of confusion.

Yes... www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high#travel

Is there anything on moving house from 1 to another tier that's changed since the last update on that? All very well saying that it's clear, but this and eventualities such as care for vulnerable in other areas are what people will be very keen to know.