Is it ok to meet with boyfriend who I don't live with and go on a socially distant walk?

[Shineonyou]

I haven't seen him in weeks. Thought about meeting and going for a walk in the very nearby countryside where we can walk at least two metres away from each other for exercise and a chat.

Is this allowed?

I certainly couldn’t keep 2m apart in M and S the other night. It was rammed

I think you can if you see my post of being in a park otherwise why say more than 2 unless from the same house

Mr brother in law is a policeman who was moaned at in Tesco for shopping with his mate - they say in same car for 7 hours that day

I'm surprised that in week 4 of lockdown people are "not sure about" the rules. You would have to be actively avoiding watching tv, SM, reading any newspaper and not have had the official letter, to not have seen!

@Abreadsandwich

I have read the rules I still find the park one I posted to be ambigous regarding the point @Shineonyou asked

OP I would read the Park one (which is the relevant rule to what you are asking) and decide from there

It would be hugely irresponsible

The rules are bollocks. I can meet up with my ex because we share DC and they can go from house to house. Ex will come into my house to pick up DC. No rules about being 2m apart from my ex. But I can't see my boyfriend who lives alone and hasn't been within 2m of anyone in last month. Where is the logic in this?

@Shineonyou I would do it if you could keep your hands off each other. :)

I know a few people complaining about this person and that person breaking the rules by doing a window visit to an elderly grandparent with the grandkids. A visit which hasn't harmed anyone and perks up the elderly vulnerable person in this tough time.....but then the same people who are complaining are going to the shop nearly every day and it's not just for an essential stock up, one day one of them took a trip to the supermarket because they needed some garlic and forgot it the day before!! Like do without it for gods sake! The same person has regularly been going down to the shop to pick up munchies for another netflix marathon.

People are completely taking the piss going into food shops. Many of the trips to those shops are not essential AT ALL. Not even close to being essential.They're taking the piss! and are far more likely to pick up the virus there by walking too close to people, touching things and exchanging money.

But there’s millions of people working alongside each other in non essential businesses everyday even now as they’re allowed to stay open
Most people can’t keep 2m apart in work

Yeah, not ideal but surely social distancing works by making sure you're lessening the amount of people you're in contact with?
So in a social setting and you don't live with them usually it'd make sense not to mix.
Same with families - ie parents, grown up children, wanting to meet up with your mates etc.
At work it can't be helped. If you're lessening the flow out of work socially/family wise though, all good.

Abreadsandwich Another smart arse. So clever. The rules are crystal clear, aren't they

Me, my husband and kids work in different industries and are still working.
We have all had risk assessments done., strict guidelineschsve been issued and in one case sent home for Ds to sign.
All working practices have changed significantly. There can only be so many people in the building, yard, kitchen, studio. whatever at one time.
None of us normally need to wear PPE, now its compudory.
All of our friends have been furloughed or had their work changed do that it almost unrecognisable. The argument making it sound like people are working next to each other without any change is ridiculous.
ok. I'm sure people will be able to name a few individual companies that have broken guidance but from what I'm seeing from friends,family and colleagues spread throughout the uk firms are taking precautions as much as they can

The rules are bollocks. I can meet up with my ex because we share DC and they can go from house to house. Ex will come into my house to pick up DC. No rules about being 2m apart from my ex. But I can't see my boyfriend who lives alone and hasn't been within 2m of anyone in last month. Where is the logic in this?
I would say they are trying g to balance compassion * child seeing parent) and people generally meeting up. It would be impossible for everyone to be screened to say if theyve met up with some one fro outbid the home or not.
Theres always the " what a iut' argument. "What about me? I havent been out all year?" , "what about my nan, shes only waved at the post man in 6weeks!" etcThe list could go on. A line has to be drawn somewhere.

@notacooldad yes of course, a line has to be drawn somewhere to protect the rest of the population etc. But if two people live alone and haven't been within 2m of anyone else in the last month then logically why shouldn't they meet up? They are not at risk to each other or anyone else.

I read the guidance again as well as the updated police guidelines and it does say gatherings of more than 2 people are banned. This implies that two people can meet.

I honestly don't understand why people think the guidelines are confusing. It's not okay to meet people with other households for walks, driveway chats, cuppas in the garden, grocery shop together. Whats wrong with people?

Also, what's with people trying to find loopholes in them too?

@amber763 exactly if people can't understand basic simple rules I don't know how they have made it to the age they are.

I think the rules are that we have as little contact as possible with people from outside our own households . The rules seem to keep being diluted , stretched and altered to fit what individuals want to do.

I also think that not telling people you are meeting someone, doesn’t give you immunity from the virus.

SI 350/2020 available on the government website (which loads of people haven't bothered to read) sets out the legislation.
Social gatherings of OVER two people are prohibited.
Leaving the house for exercise is allowed.
Working on the principle that what is not specifically banned is permitted, you are allowed to go out for a walk with your boyfriend.
Just don't snog him!

@amber763 @Peppafrig as you are both clearly experts please explain what 'gatherings of more than two people are banned' means.

And this is exactly why lockdown will be lasting till June

I find the gatherings of more than 2 not allowed rule weird. If the gov don't want people mingling with anyone outside their home, then why add that part in? Can anyone explain what it means?

Before anyone jumps on me, I haven't met up with anyone, or intend to! Just a bit puzzled by that part of the guidelines

No you shouldn’t. It is very different to pass someone in the street/ shopping fleetingly at 2 meters than actually spend a longer amount of time at 2 metres.

I work in a large acute hospital and believe me it isn’t just elderly with underlying problems who are becoming unwell in itu. Even if you did survive imagine how long post traumatic stress would take to get over.

It’s really not worth it.

The legislation is below.
Please read it and the post.
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/contents/made

@namechangenumber2 possibly for mental health reasons? I'm sure lots of people on this thread live with others. It's entirely different if you live alone and do not speak to a single soul in person for the entire duration of lockdown. I have friends like this.