To break the rule of six for my birthday?

[44jams]

It’s my birthday on Sunday and I’m planning to have a small gathering in the garden with friends. I know I’m meant to stick to the rule of six, but it just seems so nonsensical, considering that we will all be outdoors so our risk of catching the virus is tiny. Would you break the rules and have say five or six households (or 20ish people) round? Or stick to the rule of six even though as I say, the chance of catching it outside is tiny?

If you organise a gathering of more than 15 people you are at risk of a fine of up to £10k, and £800 for each attendee. That should illustrate how much of an offense you are planning on committing. Even if you don't think there's much of a COVID risk.

But as people at parties usually chat to each other, hug, use the toilet, there's probably more of a risk than just being outside in the same vicinity.

You only need one of your neighbours to be annoyed by the noise or cars everywhere to realise what's happening and report you.

@MrBond

If you get reported, don't your guests get handed a fine, too?

And rightfully so if they knowingly and willingly turn up to a gathering of 20 people.

Why do you think your birthday is so important? Did you do the same last year? Why does it trump the birthday of every man, woman and child in the country in the last 14 months?

If you are my neighbour, I’ll be reporting you. The rules are for everyone, not to pick and choose from so you can have what you want.

If you were up to 7 or 8 then outdoors for a few hours, fine.
Buy 20+ at a party, where alcohol can cloud judgement and people won't observe 2m distancing, no.
I've only read p1 of the thread but it it turns out that OP and friends are all over 70, have had both their jabs, and OP owns a large estate with parkland where everyone can distance adequately, then I will retract my negative response.

I've had two birthdays in full lockdown. Last year it was my 50th and like many people I lost all of the plans I had and money related to some of them.

If you'd said 7-10 people I would have ignored your post, but 20 is taking the mickey. I agree the rules may be silly at this point but only openly flaunt them if you can afford to pay the fine.

Of course I bloody well wouldn't.

Couldn't you do it in shifts, so you have a flow of visitors but no more than six at one time? I do think that the 'buzz' of 20 people in a garden (unless you live in a mansion!) is likely to attract 'busybody' attention (the noise levels will be apparent to all within earshot!).

And you're not going to enjoy it anyway as you know you are rule-breaking.

7 people, sure. 20 people? No chance.

You might get reported by neighbours for 20ish people. Our group of 6 in the garden got interrupted by the police barging in. Someone had reported us. The police were nice about it once realised we weren’t breaking any rules but someone had obviously exaggerated our small gathering and wasted police time.

Agree with everyone else. One or two extra - couldn't get bothered. 20 people from multiple households - clearly this is way outside what is allowed. I doubt very much that you will all socially distance (do you have an enormous garden?) and I bet that people will be in and out of your house to the toilet if nothing else.

Do what my friend has recently done and have multiple birthday celebrations to accommodate people in smaller groups.

Of course you should follow the rules. You are not exempt from the law.

I think the rule is illogical so I don't judge you, and I'm sure it would be fine, covid-wise. But 20 seems a lot more than, say, 10. For me it wouldn't be worth the hassle of potentially being reported. Your guests might feel awkward being among that many too. In your shoes I'd reduce it down.

@RolloTomassi, I think a lot of us think the rules are illogical for whatever reason but that’s not quite the point is it.

If you have a big garden and you can all stay apart then it's no different to bring in a pub beer garden. If you have a small garden then don't

No. You may think you are special, but you are not. I would report you, and for comparison, I have never reported any one for anything before.

20 is a bit much in a limited space, where they are staying for hours, drinking, drifting in and out to the loo... I wouldn't.

@AvonCallingBarksdale I guess not, hence I said I wouldn't do it How weird you agree it's illogical but you call me out for pointing that out.

Oh sorry @44jams I didn’t see on the news that your birthday was more important than anyone else’s.

Apologies - I thought that most people knew the rules were there to get us out of this hole we are collectively in. I didn’t realise that you had been granted special dispensation to be so entitled.

Sure go ahead and do it , I take you’re someone very special ans that’s why you can have the party the rest can’t.

Look at the queen she followed it at her dh funeral , why can’t you be like the queen

What would you if the weather turns out to be bad?

I mean, I was sitting in a pub garden this week with at least that many people, although of course we were all on separate tables and it was table service only.

So from that point of view, it doesn't overly make sense.

However, I guess they figure that social distancing is more likely to be observed in this setting than in private gardens.

Hasn't been the case in pubs from what I've seen though - all ours are back to normal and everyone is drunk, all over each other until closing time of 2am from what I've seen on social media.

Because of the above I can understand why people are starting to question the rule of 6 again.

No. 7 or 8 yes I’d do and have done, but a party of 20? That’s going way too far. You’re also risking a huge fine.

Outside isn’t a magic forcefield. Think about smokers outside in the winter, how far their smoke clouds go. Exactly the same with carrying covid. 2m is still needed outside.

Which makes the scenes from pubs just bonkers. Either it’s safe to do that everywhere or it’s about ignoring health and making money again and penalising people in their private gardens