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Original poster

Using garden while Covid positive

51 replies

ElephantandGrasshopper · 19/08/2021 13:49

My family and I all tested positive for Covid - luckily we only have mild symptoms.

Our house has a very small garden and my children have been playing outside in the garden a lot. There are builders working in my neighbour's garden and I told them that we had Covid (I was trying to be helpful, in case my children went right up to the garden wall and tried to talk to them). It is, to be fair, a very small garden, with a low wall between them. The barrier was higher but the builders removed a rotten bit of trellis so we can now see right into each other's gardens.

The builder has now told me, in quite unpleasant terms, that our family should not come into our own garden while he is working due to the Covid risk to him.

I believe he is in the wrong and we are in our rights to ignore him, please can anyone confirm this?

My neighbour is actually lovely but is away on holiday at the moment. I definitely don't want to cause any problems for her but, at the same time, I can't expect my kids to stay out of their own garden every day?. We've already had to cancel our planned holiday for next week and lots of other fun activities Sad

I asked the builder for his schedule for when he will be working (so that we could plan our outdoor time around this), and refused to engage in any kind of conversation, saying that I needed to speak to my neighbour.

OP posts:
dancinfeet · 19/08/2021 13:52

Builder is a twat, but then again it's your job to either make sure that your children understand not approach close the wall/fence where he is working, or supervise them if they are too young to understand why they should not do this. Other than that, ignore the builder and enjoy your garden.

Purplewithred · 19/08/2021 13:54

From NHS website:

How to self-isolate

You must not leave your home if you're self-isolating.

Don’t
do not go to work, school or public places – work from home if you can
do not go on public transport or use taxis
do not go out to get food and medicine – order it online or by phone, or ask someone to bring it to your home
do not have visitors in your home, including friends and family – except for people providing essential care
do not go out to exercise – exercise at home or in your garden, if you have one

As I read it you have every right to go into your garden. If he wants to stay indoors or away from you while you're out there that's his perogative.

Ouchyhurt · 19/08/2021 13:55

Personally if he needs to be out there o wouldn't use it but I accept I'm probably in the minority

Iluvfriends · 19/08/2021 13:55

He's wrong.

Looneytune253 · 19/08/2021 13:56

I can see his point (and I'm not hysterical about covid generally). He's at work and shouldn't have to take that risk. I understand your point too and wouldn't usually advise not using your garden either.

Kidsteens · 19/08/2021 13:56

Hold on so you asked him when he's there so your kids can play in the garden when he's not there. And he refused to tell you? The bloke is an idiot.

Could you get say a long rope or even a hose pipe or something put it about 2 foot before the fence and tell dd not to go over it ?

Or I guess just let the children out when he's not there call them back in when he is?

Original poster
ElephantandGrasshopper · 19/08/2021 13:57

if he would give me a schedule when he will be in the garden then I'd be more than happy to work around him, but he won't.

My kids are young and need some time to play outside. They have already done 2 weeks isolation at the start of the summer. (I accept that they are lucky to have a garden in the first place).

OP posts:
Bobholll · 19/08/2021 13:57

You can absolutely go in your garden. If the builder isn’t happy, he can stop working. My neighbours had covid during the last lot of hot weather & they were outside along with us & our neighbours the other side every day. The kids had water fights over the fence. We set up chairs so we could chat from a distance (our gardens are sloped so you can see each other quite easily). I’m good mates with my neighbours so no big deal I guess.

You sound like you are being very reasonable. I bet you anything that builder is down the pub with his mates at the weekend not remotely concerned about covid.

Original poster
ElephantandGrasshopper · 19/08/2021 14:00

@kidsteens suggestion is exactly what my DH suggested and I think we will do it. Do you think a metre would be fair? Then the builders would have to keep a metre clear on their side.

Luckily DH isn't working (can't wfh) so he is supervising the children and can make sure they don't cross it.

OP posts:
Frankie4me · 19/08/2021 14:06

How far away from the fence line is he working and is he out there all day? I’d say when he is working you should keep 2 metres away to be safe. It’s neither of your fault that this has happened - but now you need to cooperate to make sure it’s safe.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 19/08/2021 14:09

You’ve offered to only go outside when he isn’t there, and he’s refused to tell you when that is going to be.

You’re allowed to use your garden and have offered him a reasonable solution so that he can keep himself safe, and he has declined it.

So that’s his problem then, really.

Saucery · 19/08/2021 14:09

He’s being ridiculous. Keep 1 metre away from your side of the wall and he can do the same.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 19/08/2021 14:14

Go in your garden. I also have Covid, isolating with my 8yo and no fucking way are we not getting a bit of fresh air every day. Just keep as far away as possible. My garden is small too but my neighbour knows I have Covid and has no issues with us being in the garden.

MRex · 19/08/2021 14:16

@JellyBabiesSaveLives

You’ve offered to only go outside when he isn’t there, and he’s refused to tell you when that is going to be.

You’re allowed to use your garden and have offered him a reasonable solution so that he can keep himself safe, and he has declined it.

So that’s his problem then, really.

This. If he won't give you a schedule then I'd give him one. "As you won't supply a schedule, we'll be in the garden 9-12 and 3-6, so you can avoid using the garden at those times if you wish." If my neighbours were poorly I'd ask if they needed anything and sympathise, but I wouldn't be panicking about fleetingly being close outside, covid just doesn't transmit that well outside. Meanwhile the kids need fresh air and aren't allowed off the premises, so they have to be in the garden.
HermioneWeasley · 19/08/2021 14:18

When I had Covid I absolutely used my garden. I had to keep shoo-ing my elderly neighbours away from the fence (they knew we all had it) because they wanted to chat!

Builder is a twat

UpstreamSwimmer · 19/08/2021 14:20

Follow the science. Risk of outdoor transmission is negligible to non-existent. Especially at a couple of metres away.

amicissimma · 19/08/2021 14:26

What UpstreamSwimmer said.

The problem is his anxiety, not the actual risk of transmission. He needs to address his anxiety, not dump it on you. Chances are nothing you do will alleviate it, anyway. He could wear a mask.

With the wonderful 20 20 vision of hindsight, your mistake was to tell him you had Covid.

Di11y · 19/08/2021 14:56

1m is fine outside, it's not like he'll be right opposite them up against the fence.

Original poster
ElephantandGrasshopper · 19/08/2021 15:25

Good idea to give him our own schedule @MRex. He's been out there on and off all afternoon though.

@amicissimma I really regret telling him now - I'd think twice about doing the same in future Sad

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 19/08/2021 15:28

I'm cautious about Covid but I'd be in my garden in your circumstances. If he's worried he can wear a mask, gloves etc.

MRex · 19/08/2021 15:33

If the man wears gloves to avoid catching covid from a neighbour's children in their own garden, then it's probably time for a mental health intervention.

TheKeatingFive · 19/08/2021 15:36

Of course you can use your garden, he’s being ridiculous.

namechangeandNC · 19/08/2021 15:39

How is covid going to get over the fence ?!?!?!?!

He cannot reasonably expect you to keep your children indoors when, as a PP has posted, the NHS info states you can go in your garden.

He's a lunatic. And he's not your problem!

ifonly4 · 19/08/2021 15:52

I'd have a (distanced) word and suggest everyone keeps 1m away from the fence, that way you're all distanced. This will be hard work for you keeping children away, but could inconvenience them if they need to be within 1m, but at least you're offering a compromise.

Siameasy · 19/08/2021 16:20

Use your garden. You’ve tried to be accommodating and he isn’t prepared to liaise with you so from now on if he has a health and safety at work issue he can take it up with his boss.
I have Covid and I have been out in my back and front gardens

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