Socialising outside school during Covid

[Juniland]

Hi, I have a question that does not seem to be easily answered. I have two daughters, one in primary, one in secondary. They are each in year group bubbles. Are they allowed to socialise with children that are in their class bubble outside school ? Mine have been in the park with a couple of their friends, but not inside anyone's house. I know many parents who are letting their kids have sleepovers and playdates inside ! One of these girls has a policeman and a nurse as parents !! It really pees me off how we stick to the rules ( and at times ridiculed for it !!!)and everyone else seems to make up their own. I cannot get back to see my family in Ireland because of other people's rule breaking. It's been a year since I've seen my family. I know a lot of people in the same boat . Tough times
Advice on the above welcome please.

Well, the rules say you can’t.

Plenty of people will say that your child playing in the park with the people they sit next to, in an unventilated room for hours on end makes very little difference.

That’s why I think that nobody will take a lockdown seriously whilst schools are open.

I don’t see what difference it makes them being in the same bubble at school every day or having a play date? Makes zero sense to me so I would allow play dates with classmates

Surely the difference is that the children are being exposed to their friends parents and siblings which they would not usually meet. That’s totally different to a school bubble and increases social mixing significantly. That child could then bring something back to their own parents and siblings, who then mix if at work and other school classes etc and it spirals. We’re all fed up and bored but no, indoor play dates with school friends isn’t a good idea.

We haven't had any indoor play dates. Following the rules.

My DC have socialised outside of school but always outside (usually on the park playing football or bike rides) never indoors, no sleepovers no parties

Depends on tier surely? In tier 3 the rule of 6 applies in parks so depends how many of them/parents are together? In tier 2 the rule of 6 applied in gardens and parks. In tier 5- no! Only one person I think

Depends on tier surely?

And whereabouts in the UK you are. In Scotland upto 6 children under 17 years can still meet up outside even in tier 4.

And honestly OP stop falling for the spoon fed media nonsense. Most people are catching the virus in the workplace, hospitals etc. Indoor socialising has been banned in Scotland for almost 3 months cases are still rising. Loads of employers forcing people to work in risky conditions.
It's not the odd rule breaker who's stopping you seeing family it's the virus and the fact that huge numbers of people still have to go out to work.

@FizzingWhizzbee123 My daughter is an only child, so inviting her classmate to our house doesn't expose her to anything more than she would be exposed to by sitting next to her at school. I don't see why school is safer in this scenario