Another Christmas Dilemma - WWYD

[ImInStealthMode]

Wasn't sure whether to put this here or in AIBU but here I am.

Quick background; we're in Jersey where cases are currently out of control; nearly 1000 in a population of 100,000.

New Christmas restrictions announced Friday are similar to Tier 3, but with indoor gatherings up to 10 allowed on 25th & 26th only. As I understand it this will be enshrined in law come Wednesday, so punishable by fine for breaching.

About 20% of the population here, including DP and his family, are nationalities that celebrate on the 24th. It really is shit that they've been ignored and I'm truly sorry for them, but despite appeals to Government it doesn't seem like anything can be done.

My dilemma is that DP and his family are planning to plough on with their plans for the 24th anyway. If it's illegal though then I'm not comfortable joining them. On the one hand I think I'm being ridiculous, if they delayed to the 25th I'd be there like a shot, but on the other hand I've been sticking to the previous regulations (and beyond them) since cases started to spiral and if everyone just ignores the restrictions like that then we'll be no better off for it will we?

I have no family here anyway and have cancelled plans to see a close friend of mine on the 27th and others at NY which I am sad about (this would have been allowed under previous Christmas guidance).

If I'm really honest I'm also a bit pissed off that their plans to break the rules for a Christmas meal mean that by sticking to them I get done out of the only 'special' thing I would have been doing (I do however appreciate that others have it worse in this respect).

WWYD Mumsnetters?

I would do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Personally, I am a rule follower. So I know the risk is the same what day celebrated I tend to follow the rules. Saying that we’ve decided not to mix at all this year and have a huge one next year.

I didn’t realise Jersey was bad, I thought it was almost back to normal there, sorry to hear it’s shite there too

It does seem a little bit contrary of them, both the government and the family, that neither can move this by a single day. In your shoes I would be feeling very irritated with absolutely everybody and probably just ensconce in myself in a room somewhere with all the mince pies. Sorry not helpful but you have my empathy

Yep it's bad here. Our neighbours in Guernsey had much better leadership who took a hard line from day one and are now completely back to normal albeit with their borders fundamentally closed. To us that seemed like overkill in the summer when we had a handful of cases and were doing as we pleased, but it's come back to bite us hard now.

Argh what a difficult situation. I would feel the same as you, but I can understand their thoughts if they then won't be mixing after the 24th. I guess if it still is only one day, and within the 10 people rule, I guess the only deciding factor is what would be the punishment if a neighbour reports you? Because I think in this scenario you can have a clear conscience, but unfortunately you may be fined or something?

For me, off would depend on the risk and consequences of getting caught. If it's allowed on 25th I would have no moral issue with meeting on the 24th instead. It's not like your trying to get extra time

Yes I'm not sure about the rest of the family but for DP and I that would be the only time we're gathering with anyone. 25th and 26th will just be the two of us.

It's more that if 20% of the population do their own thing on the 24th, and the other 80% see them doing that then it's going to be 'well Hogmany is important to me so I'll do a New Years party' or 'My birthday is the 28th so we'll meet up then instead' and it becomes carnage.

I don't want to be a part of that spiral of consequence