Christmas mixing and Tiers

[meow1989]

I know we are all just guessing at the moment, but ..

I get that its likely we are allowed to mix 3 households total over the 5 days, but doesn't that become moot if your area is tier 1? Because in tier 1 you can mix up to 6 households technically (one from each). Do you think they will have the forethought to clarify this ir will it be more interpreting the rules as you go? (Fwiw I will follow whatever the guidance is, I'm not looking for loophole just curious as to how this would work)

No, bbc site now says bubble, didn't as breaking news

It’s a closed bubble of 3 households full stop. So once you’ve picked the 2 households you are seeing they are the only ones you can see over Christmas.

@MrsSchrute

It's more like an extended bubble. So families A, B and C can only mix with each other. No one else.

That's how I interpreted it.

Which is why I think they need to clarify and soon.

People will still have tough decisions to make

@roominmyhouse I get that, totally. And I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm just trying to understand: my bubble would be my parents on Xmas day, then my in laws on boxing day. So, as my parents and inlaws aren't mixing, could my parents see my sister the day after, having only seen 1 other household (mine)?

@Autumnblooms

If A,B and C are the 3 and then that’s it, it doesn’t make sense does it. If we are A and B is my mum and C his mum- my mum isn’t going to waste one of her people being C is she- why would she want to see my partners mother over Xmas? Hence why it just must be 3 at a time no matter who?

It does make sense because it is intended to minimise transmission. It's not intended to allow everyone to see everyone they would usually see. If you could meet 3 different households on every day of the 5 days that woukd be too many households mixing and too much opportunity for transmission.

It isn't compulsory, so if the bubble doesn't work for particular circumstances, or people don't want or need to bubble, or can't agree one, they don't have to, they can spend Christmas just within their own household.

Unless you're in tier one, or outdoors.
Or are they suspending the tiers over the Christmas period?

@meow1989. In that situation, your parents, in-laws, and you would be one extended bubble. So none of you would be able to meet anyone else, regardless of whether they met or not.

This is a terrible idea. It’s not only going to lead to more cases but whole families falling out!
I have a huge family, sisters and brothers in laws, nieces and nephews, parents, grandparents, in laws etc. It’s impossible 🤯 and what about people that no one chooses! How sad would that be. Now people on their own will feel even worse

@Autumnblooms

Really? I thought it was 3 can mix at any one time. So one day, us, and 2 households and on the next day us and two different other households?? Just as long as it’s always 3 maximum- or do I have that wrong??

You've got it totally wrong - it's the same three families sticking to the same three bubbles across the five days.

So, for example, you, DH and DC can mix with both sets of grandparents, but they wouldn't be able to mix with anyone else for the entire five days. If you or DH had siblings, they would miss out on seeing their parents.

It really is pick your favourite child/grandparent time!

[quote meow1989]@roominmyhouse I get that, totally. And I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm just trying to understand: my bubble would be my parents on Xmas day, then my in laws on boxing day. So, as my parents and inlaws aren't mixing, could my parents see my sister the day after, having only seen 1 other household (mine)?[/quote]
I would think not, because you seeing both, even though not together, puts them in your bubble of 3 households.

The difference is in tier 1 rule of 6 you have to social distance whilst the three households for Christmas you don’t as it’s a temporary bubble. So there is a difference.

BBC news just said a bubble of up to 3 households and that stays as the bubble for the relaxation period so no one else at all even on different days. If you end up in tier 1 (not many will) this rule may be more restriction that the rule of 6.
I can see already that the person I bubble with won't chose the same households as me! Creates as many problems as it solves.

Argh, can't believe I typed that incorrectly!!!

It's the same three families sticking to the same SINGLE bubble across the five days.

[quote meow1989]@roominmyhouse I get that, totally. And I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm just trying to understand: my bubble would be my parents on Xmas day, then my in laws on boxing day. So, as my parents and inlaws aren't mixing, could my parents see my sister the day after, having only seen 1 other household (mine)?[/quote]
No they wouldn’t be able to also see your sister. You need to agree with the other households who will be in the bubble of 3. It’s a closed bubble.

So it’s not ‘your bubble’ it’s the whole groups bubble and no one can see anyone else outside of that bubble.

In theory this works for me.

My household, my sisters household and my parents could meet as usual. My dad is terminally ill.

However, my brother in law lost his mum in january. Its his dads first Christmas without her. He will quite rightly want to spend Christmas with his family bubble.

Who do you chose in that situation? The person who may be having their last Xmas, or the one who has just lost their loved one?!

People may stick to the 3 households, but those not too concerned with religiously sticking to rules unlikely to stick to the stationary bubble and will just see different people on different days, how is it ever going to be policed? Unless you test positive then have to tell track and trace where you have been?

Racoonworld The tiers aren't going to exist over Christmas though, that's the whole point. No tiers at all, just the three-households-in-the-same-single-bubble-across-five-days rule.

@goodname

This is a terrible idea. It’s not only going to lead to more cases but whole families falling out! I have a huge family, sisters and brothers in laws, nieces and nephews, parents, grandparents, in laws etc. It’s impossible 🤯 and what about people that no one chooses! How sad would that be. Now people on their own will feel even worse

You decide between everyone who sees who and split it up so everyone gets to see someone. People won’t be able to see everyone but at least see someone over Christmas which is better than nothing.

@Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady

In theory this works for me.

My household, my sisters household and my parents could meet as usual. My dad is terminally ill.

However, my brother in law lost his mum in january. Its his dads first Christmas without her. He will quite rightly want to spend Christmas with his family bubble.

Who do you chose in that situation? The person who may be having their last Xmas, or the one who has just lost their loved one?!

Oh that's so hard. I don't envy any your sister having to make that choice.

No @meow1989 - your bubble would then be your parents and your in laws, so your parents couldn’t see your sister (their bubble would be you and your in laws, even if they don’t see each other).

I’m hoping the in-laws will see their siblings rather than expect us to trek up for an hour in their house, but I think chances are slim, they’re desperate to see DH.

I wish they didn’t bother and just kept lockdown, it’s going to cause so many fallings out AND lead to a huge rise in cases.
My sis has already arranged to meet up with her in laws which mean when she sees my parents I then can’t see them

People aren't going to comply. Personally I think Christmas is just going to be a free for all.

Do we know for sure the tiers won't apply?

@goodname

This is a terrible idea. It’s not only going to lead to more cases but whole families falling out! I have a huge family, sisters and brothers in laws, nieces and nephews, parents, grandparents, in laws etc. It’s impossible 🤯 and what about people that no one chooses! How sad would that be. Now people on their own will feel even worse

This is exactly the same complaint people had when bubbles of 10 people were thought to be a possibility here back in April. The answer is rhe same - it isn't compulsory, if people can't agree a bubble they don't have to do it at all. If they only want a bubble of two then they have a bubble of two. And when people are agreeing bubbles surely they should be choosing the people most in need of it, so if there are people in the family who would spend Christmas alone, have them in the bubble. Perhaps split into several bubbles of 2 or 3 so that everyone gets to see some relatives.

If you think this is a terrible idea, what would you propose instead?