Anecdotally, more and more, I’m hearing about the rule bends and workarounds people are attempting in order to make their life in coronavirus lockdown easier – I’m sure you are too. Especially now that lockdown measures are being relaxed and people (and sometimes ministers even) seem confused about what the rules actually mean.
Can I move in with my parents during lockdown?
This article was originally written to reflect the lockdown rules across the UK in the summer. If you'd like to know whether you can move in with your parents during the lockdown this Christmas, here'sour guide to having a Covid-safe Christmas, plus whetheryou'll be fined if you break the rules this Christmas.
Whether it’s people visiting friends’ gardens, joining family for socially-distanced walks or standing on doorsteps for birthdays, there’s a general vibe that people are trying to find ways to cope with isolation - or even to socialise in lockdown.
Now, more and more people are thinking about that supposed two-week period between infection and symptoms, and the seven-day period between symptoms starting and being allowed to go out. They’re wondering, if they’ve been isolated for months and their friend/partner/family have too, why can’t they now meet?
As soon as we start pushing things, it leads to little chinks in that armour and the virus can start spreading.
It’s understandable, lockdown is hard – and even harder if you’ve spent that time totally alone. And the feeling that it could go on for months longer, gets you starting to think creatively about how to cope.
The announcements by the government haven't necessarily answered all people's concerns. And Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has previously said that normal life will not resume for ‘really quite a long period of time’. Adding that social-distancing will have to stay in place in some way until a vaccine is available, he reiterated: ‘We are going to have to do a lot of things for really quite a long period of time.'
With that in mind, we've looked at the government's latest guidelines and interpreted them the best we can. We also recently spoke to a GP, Dr Luke Kane, about the lockdown dos and don’ts – and whether these rule-bends are, actually, rule-breaks.
So, what can you do?
Can I go and see or stay with my friends or family if we’ve all been isolating for more than two weeks and no-one has symptoms?
Seeing as we’re all medical experts now, lots of people are wondering, if you’ve been symptom-free for two weeks and not been out, why can’t you go and stay with friends and family – or even move between the two places? People are wondering if now is the time to move in with the boyfriend they weren’t able to at the beginning. Or, join households with the friend who is also alone. And as more and more of us begin to crack under the stress of work and childcare, people are also asking if they can perhaps start to takechildren to nearby grandparentsthat have also been isolating, to help. People are also wondering if a 'bubble' system could come into place to allow fore more social interaction.
Updated government advice says, under the heading, 'On what date can I expand my household group?': 'The government has asked the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) to advise on the concept of “bubbles”, which would mean allowing people to expand their household group to include one other household. For the time being, you cannot visit friends or family, except to spend time outdoors with up to one person from a different household.'
Dr Kane explained that, no matter how careful you are, mixing households just isn’t as safe as you think it is. ‘Of course, if there were two households, right next door to each other, completely sealed off, so no other outside contact, it would be pretty low risk,’ he says. ‘But that doesn’t happen does it? People have to go out – they go out for their exercise, their food, they go out if they need to see a GP, the post, shopping, deliveries… they’re not two sealed communities. There’s still a risk of people getting infected. So, as soon as you increase the amount of people you’re interacting with, by doubling a household, you’re increasing the risk. It’s as simple as that.’
Can I go and sit in my friend’s garden if we stay six feet away from each other and observe social distancing rules?
Whether it’s family you’re missing or friends you’re just desperate to see after weeks alone, it’s rumoured that people are starting to pop over to friends and family’s houses to see them, as long as they are six feet away from each other. Especially, it seems people seem to think this is safe in a garden, or driveway, presumably with the idea that open air is better.
You can understand why people think this – if they can stand six feet away from them in parks and from strangers in supermarkets, why is this different?
The government now says you can meet one person, at social distance 'if you are outdoors'. Sadly, it doesn't explicitly say you can do so in your garden, as the question reads: 'Can I meet my friends and family in the park?' The answer says: 'You can meet one other person from outside your household if you are outdoors. Public gatherings of more than 2 people from different households are prohibited in law. There are no limits on gatherings in the park with members of your household.'
It also states you still cannot 'visit friends and family in their homes', which also seems to rule out garden meets, especially as you might be seeing more than one person at a time.
‘It’s all about risk,’ explained Dr Kane. ‘By doing that you’re increasing unnecessary travel, because you have to get to that garden, you have to go through that person’s house to get to the garden… you are increasing your risk. It’s lower risk than going to a big house party where there’s 100 people, but there’s still a risk. And it’s about minimising the risk, so that, one, you don’t get sick – and two, you don’t spread it on to other people.
Can I go and meet someone for a walk in the park if we stay six feet away from each other and observe social-distancing rules?
As mentioned, this does now seem to be allowed by the government. But only meeting one person at a time.
Can I meet more than on person at a social distance?
If you can go home and come out and meet someone again, why can't you all meet at the same time - for instance if you wanted to meet with your parents?
The government seems to be (after some confusion with ministers) now saying that you can only meet one person at a time. As maddening as that might sound.
Can I drive or walk past my friend’s house to say happy birthday?
It started in America, and then with celebrities on Instagram – more and more people are enjoying the idea of a ‘drive-by birthday’. Especially for children, or if someone is alone, the prospect of spending a birthday in lockdown can seem grim. So, lots of people have been either popping by or near their friends and family’s houses on foot or by car to wish them happy birthday. Surely, if you stay six feet away – or even better insider a car – this is OK? Well, not really, no.
‘If you are already going out to the supermarket to get your essential items and your best mate’s house is on the way to the Sainsbury’s and it’s her 30th birthday, of course, you can wave at her and honk your horn outside her house – that’s not risky,’ said Dr Kane. ‘But as soon as you start adding extra diversions – you’re going out of the way, you’re adding in an hour walk, you’re in the garden and you give them a quick hug – as soon as we start pushing things, it leads to little chinks in that armour and the virus can start spreading.’
Can I meet friends to play sport in a park?
Another one that seems to be confusing. You can meet people and you can play certain sports... so can't you just meet a few people to play socially distanced sport? No.
'Sports courts can re-open, but you should only partake in such activities alone, with members of your household, or with one other person from outside your household, while practising social distancing,' says the government guidance. 'You should take particular care if you need to use any indoor facilities next to these outdoor courts, such as toilets. You should not use these facilities if you are showing coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household are self-isolating.'
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