People who don't live with partners - are you seeing each other during lockdown?

[Eesha]

Just wondering. We are Tier 2 so can't see each other indoors and not anticipating this changing for a long time. What are others doing?

I remember some of you from the 1st lockdown when we were all discussing this! So different this time as some of you have said, there's no end in sight, and I feel that along as we are not taking the mick in any other way it isn't a huge problem, I've certainly cut down all other contact in my life sadly

I'll probably get stick for this, but we absolutely do see each other. For our mental health. Obviously we're sensible and if either of us are feeling under the weather ect we would tell the other. But we both live alone and it would just be such a strain on both of us mentally

Is it just scotland that has an exemption for non cohabiting couples then?

I can't believe anyone would consider not seeing their partner. Recently dating then yes fair enough don't see each other if you're worried but in a proper relationship? Sod that.

The issue arrives i think with couples with kids who are co parenting. As in the other parent or grandparents may be involved with the kids and that leads to exposure. I dunno myself I'd never stop seeing a partner. I went through the last lockdown completely alone with my young dd half the time and then isolated the rest. Never. Again.

No way would I obey such a rule which is such a blatant breach of a basic human rights, and likely therefore not even to be enforceable in court. Its ludicrous, other than on a very short term basis (and even then I cannot think of any reasons that would justify it).

I live in a tier 3 area. Absolutely still seeing my boyfriend. You only get one life, don't waste it.

I think it's madness not to tbh. I'm not in that situation but why should you consider yourself any different just because you are 2 people who live in separate places alone rather than together? That is a sacrifice that people should not be asked to make, specially because it creates no difference whatsoever to R than 2 people who live together. Seriously I would not even consider it for a minute and anyone who reported you is bonkers.

I'm married & dh lives in the lowest tier and me tier 2. Yes we are seeing each other. Who knows how long this could go on for, there is no way I won't see him!

My dp is still my bubble but I will be sticking my fingers in my ears at any suggestion this is no longer allowed. It’s totally ridiculous that anyone thinks living in 2 homes is riskier than if the same people lived in 1 house. I presumed it was an oversight in March, I can’t believe we’re back here.

Don't have a partner but I would absolutely be ignoring this arbitrary rule. It would have been better to treat people as adults, educate them on risks and save the force of the law for making public /business / educational spaces safer. I am generally very careful, mask up, keep my distance, don't spend more time than I have to in enclosed spaces, and lobby local schools to improve their Covid security. If I have the tiniest question of feeling unwell, I've been isolating. But I'm not going to give up something this important just because of arbitrary rules from a government I don't respect. Lord Sumption has a good take on it here. www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-8851059/amp/LORD-SUMPTION-Im-meet-person-plans-obey-mixing-ban.html

My DP lives in tier 2. I'm in tier 1. We are still seeing each other.

Im seeing mine too...and we saw each other all through the last lockdown...life is too short.

TBH my partner is very fixed on following the rules as he believes if we don't, it will never be eradicated. I'm just not sure whether this relationship can work like this sadly. I'll never see him!

My partner and I are both tier 1 and in a bubble together but he is still talking of isolating from me because I am a nurse, so high risk of exposure and he is very high risk of significant illness. I have had a test showing antibodies too. Like you @Eesha this is making me question the relationship as I can't see how we can see each other.

Assuming you are in a single adult household then I think you are allowed both a support bubble and a childcare bubble?

www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high#meeting-family-and-friends

“ A support bubble is where a household with one adult joins with another household. Households in that support bubble can still visit each other, stay overnight, and visit public places together.

Informal childcare can also be provided via childcare bubbles. Find out more about childcare bubbles in the ‘Childcare’ section below”

I don't have any idea of what is allowed and what's not when it comes to support bubbles. I live with my DD and parents and my DP lives with parents too in tier 2 area. We don't do anything except work really and DD goes to school. It's our anniversary this coming weekend and we wanted to book a hotel but not sure we can :/

@ceeveebee I think here the only legal way is if I use my family as a childcare bubble and use him as my support bubble. But actually in reality both are support bubbles but my family look after my kids when I see my partner.

It's absolutely ridiculous that they didn't provide an exemption for long term relationships, they could even go as far as saying no new relationships can be added after this week in tier 2&3 but anyone already in an established relationship but living separately for whatever reason can see their dp. I moved in with dp in March, could not imagine not seeing him for weeks, it was hard enough not seeing him Monday morning to Thursday evening!

Been with my partner 4.5 years, we don’t live together.
In the first lockdown we stuck to the rules - no face to face contact at all for 8 weeks, then socially distanced walks for 4 weeks, then finally we were allowed to form a support bubble. During this time I only saw my mum from a distance or outdoors - she had her non resident partner as her support bubble.
Since things eased I’ve been seeing my Mum as usual, and still seeing my partner too.
We are tier 1 but I have no intention of stopping seeing my partner now, whatever we’re told.

I would break the rules, it’s ludicrous to expect people not to see their partners. I can’t see many couples sticking to this rule.

My partner wants to stick to the rules for the time being, looks like it will be a long winter!

Op I can’t believe you would contemplate not seeing him of social distancing. Don’t give up your liberty

seeing my significant other is a rule I would totally break...

We've been together almost ten years, we abided by it the first time round and it was awful. We're not this time. I know a couple of long term non cohabitating couples and they're all seeing each other.

If one more person says "can't you just go for a walk in the park" I may scream