I really hope the outside mixing part is true.

[Lubiluxe]

I am anxiously awaiting the road map announcement. I had my first niece last year and still haven't met her. It would be my dream to be able to see her within weeks!!

www.itv.com/news/2021-02-20/covid-lockdown-roadmap-outdoor-meet-ups-could-be-allowed-within-weeks-as-coronavirus-restrictions-ease

I know it is only speculation. I know schools are priority. And I know they should be. But the heartbreak is unreal and I really hope this is true.

I know a lot of people are mixing anyway.. but there are lots of us sticking to the rules. Not everyone lives close to family sadly.

I've met different friends at the park with different aged kids. Twice arranged and about 10 times not arranged and been there at same time. Kids go off and play we've chatted. I sure as shit aren't going to stay the opposite side of the park and not talk. Or as people have suggested in the last one family should leave! No way.
We have a huge circle of friends with kids around the city and more so in this area. There are 7 local parks. So high chance of bumping into someone especially in the most local which is the least busiest but always see someone

The park opposite my dm was rammed today. My dm went for a walk with my disis and she said there was over 100 people in that park. Which is like Inn the summer.

@Thecoppertree

I hope they consider those living further away (a couple of hours drive) from their families and friends too.

I really hope so but very depressed to read this in The Telegraph:

Relatives who live far away from each other may have to wait a little longer, however, because it is unclear when guidance telling people to remain in their local areas will be lifted.

I really want the DCs to be able to see their grandparents who live 200 miles away.

Everyone is outdoor mixing anyway

No, we aren't.
Don't tar everyone with the same brush.
As the OP has said, she hasn't seen her lovely new niece AT ALL.
There are stories on our local news weekly of people who haven't been able to see family members, let alone friends.

I don’t know why you would wait months to see your niece

I know it’s a rule but in real life I don’t know anyone who’d let a rule like this stop them meeting a new family member

I really hope schools, FE colleges, unis and sport are the priority. Teenagers are 'on hold' more than any other age group and it's doing untold damage to so many. I'd be happy to hold off meeting in groups and families if all of that could get back on track first. And to wait longer for my vaccine so they canvaccinate all teachers, lecturers and coaches first.

@Pastanred

I don’t know why you would wait months to see your niece

I know it’s a rule but in real life I don’t know anyone who’d let a rule like this stop them meeting a new family member

Because it is against the law. I know plenty of people in the real world with babies who haven't met family. They are allowed a support bubble and have one. Like I've said already, I live a minimum 3.5 hour drive away. It isn't allowed.

@Sendingasurprise

I really hope schools, FE colleges, unis and sport are the priority. Teenagers are 'on hold' more than any other age group and it's doing untold damage to so many. I'd be happy to hold off meeting in groups and families if all of that could get back on track first. And to wait longer for my vaccine so they canvaccinate all teachers, lecturers and coaches first.

Yes I did say in my op that schools are priority and should be. I do think children would have a boost by being able to see more family / friends though too. I work in early years and would love a vaccine but it doesn't look like we will get prioritised sadly. It would be good for teachers etc... to get vaccinated

Delighted! But I wish they’d exclude under 12’s from the rule of 6 like Scotland. Then I could meet my lovely friends in a larger group & our kids could play. They’ve been friends since birth & really miss each other!

Outdoor mixing in some way that’s as fair as it can be before shops, pubs etc definitely

Outdoor mixing would do for me for ages

I can't see how they can justify not allowing people to meet in groups of more than 2 outside for much longer.

I fully support that the schools should be prioritised and that the relaxation should happen gradually, but they need to give something yo those of us who aren't allowed a support bubble and who have no local friends and family.

I've been wfh since finishing mat leave 8 months ago, and mat leave wasn't exactly a social extravaganza so it's been nearly 2 years since I've been able to regularly see friends.

My DH also works in ITU so I've had some long and lonely days at home looking after DD when I'm not working. I've never felt so lonely and don't know how much longer I can take this. Just to be able to meet up with a couple of friends for a walk at a NT property would be amazing - and suxh low risk in terms on transmission.

It would be lovely to have some opportunities to meet up outdoors with more than one person, and without having to go for a walk all the time. Totally agree schools etc should be the priority, but even knowing that in a few weeks after that I could actually sit down and talk with a couple of people in the garden would keep me going until then.

@Pastanred exactly I really can’t believe people are still letting the government dictate to them around important life events that they will never be able to replace such as seeing a new baby!

@Pastanred

I don’t know why you would wait months to see your niece

I know it’s a rule but in real life I don’t know anyone who’d let a rule like this stop them meeting a new family member

It's because they are know that spreading a virus that kills people is wrong. It's about morals and decency as much as obeying rules.

Also stay local is guidance so when the time comes if your family live further away just drive and see them. Honestly we have to start making our own decisions rather than waiting for Boris to tell us especially now the majority of vulnerable are vaccinated!

You can only spread a virus if you have it

Go get a test at one of the dozens of asymptomatic sites 🤷‍♀️ Common sense surely

I’m hoping for the rule of six, much easier to police than two households. Given we know children can catch and spread it, I’ve always agreed with the decision to include them. How many would have huge gatherings and parties if they weren’t.

Outdoor mixing already happening where I live. On and off snow for the last 7 weeks until today, when it was 15º and dry. Everyone was on the streets, playgrounds packed, groups of 2-3 families walking together in the park. Local rates are insanely low (in the 40s per 100k) and people have just given up.

In NI we are allowed to mix 2 households in groups of up to 10 from 8th March. Public places only. I'd be surprised if England didn't do something similar.

I hope so too.
Although I think there should be some rules eg no more than 4 adults but kids don’t count. So it is easier to police.
I also don’t think people should be travelling more than one hour to meet family yet. It just increases the transmission from area to area plus the risk of breaking down, having to stay the night etc

I don’t know why you would wait months to see your niece

I know it’s a rule but in real life I don’t know anyone who’d let a rule like this stop them meeting a new family member
and
@Pastanred exactly I really can’t believe people are still letting the government dictate to them around important life events that they will never be able to replace such as seeing a new baby!

It is thinking like this ^
The "rules don't apply to me" culture that has kept others in lockdown for so long.

It's because they are know that spreading a virus that kills people is wrong. It's about morals and decency as much as obeying rules.

Well said @LastTrainEast

How many would have huge gatherings and parties if they weren’t.

Yes this is true. There does need to be a limit as people will just take the mick.

The only issue is that if you have 2 DCs and your sister has 3 DCs you won’t be able to meet as there would be 7 of you, so I think it should be more a rule of 8 rather than 6 or something.

@BackforGood

I don’t know why you would wait months to see your niece

I know it’s a rule but in real life I don’t know anyone who’d let a rule like this stop them meeting a new family member
and
@Pastanred exactly I really can’t believe people are still letting the government dictate to them around important life events that they will never be able to replace such as seeing a new baby!

It is thinking like this ^
The "rules don't apply to me" culture that has kept others in lockdown for so long.

It's because they are know that spreading a virus that kills people is wrong. It's about morals and decency as much as obeying rules.

Well said @LastTrainEast

Agreed Morals and decency like previous poster said

I think outdoor mixing is a given to come in soon. I suspect it will still come with a "stay local" message though, so OP may have to wait to see her niece. I think the effect of schools opening will have to be analysed first, before extended travel, particularly travel involving staying away from home, is involved.

I think it should be done by household and not rule of 6.

How is two households with a total of 8 people more risky than 6 individual households meeting up?