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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:
IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 19/08/2021 17:03

@Ouchyhurt

Personally if he needs to be out there o wouldn't use it but I accept I'm probably in the minority
I wouldn’t either. It can be transmitted outside and I wouldn’t want to put anyone at risk from my actions.
Frazzled2207 · 19/08/2021 17:18

you have every right to continue to use your garden but at the same time I think you need to make sure the children keep as much distance as possible from him.
he was definitely rude.

FeedMeSantiago · 19/08/2021 17:29

I didn't use my garden when I was isolating with Covid but my garden is communal so I didn't feel comfortable using it and wasn't sure what the rules are for communal gardens (I understand you can use private gardens if you have Covid).

I did use my balcony for short periods but only when the neighbours above and below weren't using theirs.

He is being a twat for not giving you a schedule. If your garden is big enough I would mark out 2 metres from the fence and keep behind that line, he can't complain you're too close then! The risk of outdoor transmission is very slim.

Original poster
ElephantandGrasshopper · 19/08/2021 17:44

Ours is a private garden, and my partner isn't working so can supervise the children while outside and make sure they don't go anywhere near to the neighbour's fence.

It started raining this afternoon so we haven't been back out, but will do tomorrow.

OP posts:
CottageDwelling · 19/08/2021 18:35

I think you'd all have to line up and cough at him continuously for some time to even remotely be in danger of infecting him from your garden. He's being an arse.

Overthebow · 19/08/2021 18:49

You’re allowed to use your private garden. It’s his problem to sort with his employer and client. he should stop work if he feels unsafe and speak to them, it’s not your problem.

worriedatthemoment · 19/08/2021 19:08

Ive wondered this as if in out garden and neighbours in theirs near edge we wouldn't be 6ft apart as we have such small gardens and low fences?

Greenhand · 19/08/2021 19:27

I thought it was polite and helpful of you to inform the builder. It’s your garden and you are entitled to use it with Covid. Being responsible and staying at home does not mean sitting indoors with windows and doors locked.

I’d give him your schedule as suggested.

HelloMissus · 19/08/2021 20:05

He’s being ridiculous.
Keeping young children inside for ten days without fresh air would be illegal in a young offenders institution.

megletthesecond · 19/08/2021 22:49

I agree with you.
My neighbours teen dc's had covid a few weeks ago and I was happy for mine to chat to them across the path and fence every so often, ie over 2m in the fresh air.

icelollycraving · 20/08/2021 08:22

I am in the minority but I do see his viewpoint. Assuming he’s self employed, he probably is very wary of losing money from catching covid.
Yes, you can use your garden. It is your responsibility to not let your dc close to others.
If my neighbours had Covid, I probably would avoid being close. If the gardens are small and close together, just go out when he isn’t there.
I find it very interesting that we are now much less fearful of Covid, with vaccines etc but we still need to be mindful of others feelings, some people are still anxious. Hope you are all feeling better soon.

CallmeHendricks · 20/08/2021 08:59

He's being ridiculous.
I assume he can't give you a schedule of when he'll need to be outside, as he doesn't really know.
But as those of us working in schools, offices and shops know, to our cost, apparently it's been fine all along to be in an enclosed, poorly-ventilated space with lost of other people coughing and sneezing in close proximity (much less than 2 metres' distance). We were told in no uncertain terms to get on with it.
He needs to get over himself.

nether · 20/08/2021 09:06

Just make sure your DC are well away from the fence - full 2m if the builders are having to work close to it.

Blue565 · 20/08/2021 09:48

The builder is bonkers, it's your private garden and your property. He can down tools and stop work if he's that bothered.

MRex · 20/08/2021 10:01

Yes, you can use your garden. It is your responsibility to not let your dc close to others.
If my neighbours had Covid, I probably would avoid being close. If the gardens are small and close together, just go out when he isn’t there.
No, this isn't fair. The kids ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO ANYWHERE. This is their home, they are confined to it, the garden is part of the very tiny space they must be confined to for at least 10 days (depending on different test dates). He needs to be the one to make reasonable adjustments, because he can go anywhere he likes at any time.

MrsSkylerWhite · 20/08/2021 10:03

ElephantandGrasshopper

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.”

In which case, he’s unreasonable.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 20/08/2021 10:05

I am in the minority but I do see his viewpoint. Assuming he’s self employed, he probably is very wary of losing money from catching covid.

In which case the idiot needs to give OP the schedule she's asked for. If he refuses to cooperate why should the OP?

igelkott2021 · 20/08/2021 10:12

Presumably builder has been vaccinated and he is working outside. The chances of him catching it outside are vanishingly small.

Use your garden when it suits you OP.

And the moral of the story is not to tell people if you are covid positive other than employers etc because you get crap like this to deal with.

MrsSkylerWhite · 20/08/2021 10:22

“In which case the idiot needs to give OP the schedule she's asked for. If he refuses to cooperate why should the OP?“

Maybe he doesn’t want his working hours in his customer’s absence getting back to her 😬

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 20/08/2021 11:16

That's a very good point!

nordica · 20/08/2021 12:20

Well there's a difference between the miniscule chance of catching covid outdoors from someone just passing by, and spending hours within a fairly contained space outdoors (as you'd be between houses) with covid positive kids running around around you. Using your garden to sit in quietly at a distance is one thing but kids are usually shouting and playing and will expel many more droplets if the distance between your gardens is small.

It's still a tiny risk but I can understand it's not one the builder would want to take. How much of the day is he there? Isn't there lots of time for your kids to use the garden while he is not working there?

AzureTwist · 20/08/2021 12:29

Absolutely can go in your own garden, and if he builder cannot make the fence how it should be due to his work and will not comply, then tough. After all, nobody has to even isolate now who is a close contact. He may live with someone positive, but still carry on his work and not have to tell anyone!

CirqueDeMorgue · 20/08/2021 16:59

He's being silly. Give it a year or so and people will be going to work with covid.

Sillysop92 · 20/08/2021 17:31

The bloke’s being a bit of a knob. Go and enjoy your garden and ignore him. I can’t believe there are still people like him although I should as there’s a Nana on here just like him!

Topseyt · 20/08/2021 18:51

Of course you can go into your garden.

You're obviously a better person than me as I wouldn't even have mentioned it to him. Wouldn't have occurred to me.