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Original poster

Can tier 4 people stay the night with support bubble in tier 2

44 replies

Sittinbythetrees · 20/12/2020 09:21

Just that. The info on the .gov website is unclear. It says very clearly that you mustn’t stay overnight in tier 4 - but also says that you can visit your support bubble. I can’t spot a clear answer! Not for me but for single relative.

OP posts:
BiarritzCrackers · 20/12/2020 09:27

Support bubbles continue to exist. They count as a single household, and can continue to function as any other household, including within tiers.

The .gov guidance site is hopeless - just checked and it still says, "You can form a Christmas bubble between 23 and 27 December. There is a 3-household limit on a Christmas bubble." Honestly, FFS, they need to get a grip!

Thighdentitycrisis · 20/12/2020 09:39

Same question!
I understand Support bubbles continue in T4, can my support bubble (also T4) still stay over with me for as long as they like?

ZaZathecat · 20/12/2020 09:54

Yes, if you are in a genuine support bubble, i.e. one single person/single parent family with one other household, you can behave entirely as if you were part of their household.

LJC1234 · 20/12/2020 09:58

My understanding is yes . We have a support bubble with my parents as we have a child under one. From everything I have read they can continue to stay overnight with us ( as they have already been doing in current guidelines )

ProfessorInkling · 20/12/2020 09:59

Yes there is no change to support bubbles. My DP lives in tier 2, I’m in tier 4. He is here half the time (logistics) and we will carry on as we have done.

Original poster
Sittinbythetrees · 20/12/2020 10:03

It also says that if you see your support bubble person from tier 4 on Christmas Day you can’t see ANY other household, (not either of the 2 for the Christmas Day bubble) so they are not entirely considered as part of your household. Gahhh!

OP posts:
Scarby9 · 20/12/2020 10:03

Yes!

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 20/12/2020 10:06

@Sittinbythetrees - they bring their tier with them. So your household is counted as being in tier 4 because of their visit, and Christmas bubbles aren’t permitted in tier 4.

Ginfordinner · 20/12/2020 10:08

The rules are very clear here

You can only form a Christmas bubble if you do not live in a Tier 4 area

do not join a Christmas bubble with anyone from a Tier 4 area

only see your bubble on Christmas Day. Do not stay overnight and keep your visits as short as possible

BiscuitDrama · 20/12/2020 10:10

That’s specifically a Christmas bubble though. Is it different for a pre existing bubble?

Original poster
Sittinbythetrees · 20/12/2020 10:23

Yes, I’m asking about legitimate existing support bubbles. Can a tier 4 person stay the night with their support bubble in a different tier? How long does that turn us into a tier 4 household?

OP posts:
perhapstomorrow · 20/12/2020 10:25

A christmas bubble is different from a support bubble. My understanding is that your support bubble still exists so you can stay overnight during Christmas

moomin11 · 20/12/2020 10:26

@Sittinbythetrees

Yes, I’m asking about legitimate existing support bubbles. Can a tier 4 person stay the night with their support bubble in a different tier? How long does that turn us into a tier 4 household?
Yes you can.
Emmie12345 · 20/12/2020 10:26

So travelling in and out of tier 4 from tier 2 is ok if you are in support bubble ? Which I am with dp

Dozer · 20/12/2020 10:26

Gov.uk guidance is indeed unclear. I interpret it to mean that support bubble rules remain the same, ie travel between tiers to visit/host your support bubble and overnight stays (no max duration specified) are still permitted.

BiarritzCrackers · 20/12/2020 10:27

That's an interesting point - when you cease to be Tier 4 after they have left (or if the stayed for, say, two weeks) and your home reverts to the Tier you are geographically in. Haven't seen that anywhere. I imagine the govt haven't considered that yet!

Perfect28 · 20/12/2020 10:28

This doesn't answer the ops question but another person mentions it...Childcare bubbles should be used only for necessary childcare. If you don't need the childcare then having a child alone is not a reason to bubble, and just because you may need childcare sometimes is not a reason to socialise with said bubble.

minipie · 20/12/2020 10:29

If you are in an existing support bubble with someone who lives in a Tier 4 area, you can see each other on Christmas Day. If you choose to do so, you must not join a Christmas bubble with anyone else.

From gov.uk

It’s clear. You can have a support bubble OR a Christmas bubble but not both.

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 20/12/2020 10:33

I’m starting to think that they need to simplify the rules on bubbles. Something along the lines of every household being able to form an exclusive support bubble with one other household would be much simpler and fairer.

Vinosaurus · 20/12/2020 11:00

Somebody needs to do a flowchart

Thighdentitycrisis · 20/12/2020 12:54

I guess if you keep in mind the objective of not transmitting the virus from T4 to any other T it helps to clarify the situation somewhat

Dozer · 20/12/2020 12:58

How will it ‘clarify things’? The rules are specified by government.

Dozer · 20/12/2020 12:59

i.e travel from / to and overnight stays incl Tier 4 IS permitted in support bubbles.