Coronavirus UK: Couples in hotspots BANNED from meeting indoors

Downing Street today insisted couples in coronavirus hotspots who do not live together must stick to social distancing rules if they meet up outside even if they are in long term relationships.

The Government’s Covid-19 restrictions dictate that people living in tier two or tier three areas are not allowed to meet socially with friends or family indoors unless they are part of one household or form a support bubble. 

People are still allowed to meet up outdoors as long as they stick to the rule of six and socially distance. 

However, the Government is facing criticism for failing to include an exemption for people in an ‘established relationship’ who do not live together. 

The Government’s social distancing guidelines state that ‘you do not need to socially distance from anyone in your household’ or from ‘someone you’re in an established relationship with’.  

But that exemption has not been carried over to the three tier system, leaving many couples facing the prospect of months apart. 

A support bubble is defined as where a household with one adult joins with another household. The members of that combined household can then still visit each other and stay overnight. 

However, living arrangements will mean many couples will be unable to form a support bubble.

Downing Street today defended the lack of an exemption for couples in an ‘established relationship’. 

Asked if couples living apart in tier two areas can see each other indoors, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said: ‘The rules on household mixing in tier two I think set out that you should mix with your own household only unless you have formed a support bubble and that obviously does apply to some couples.’

Asked if that meant that couples who do not live together in hotspot areas will now face months of not being allowed to meet indoors, the spokesman said: ‘I would put it in a different way which is what the rules set out is that there shouldn’t be mixing between different households indoors but as I said there are exemptions to that with support bubbles and in a number of cases support bubbles will involve couples who live apart.’ 

Asked why there is not an ‘established relationship’ exemption built into the tier system, the spokesman said: ‘Because the purpose of the measures that we have put in place is to break the chain of transmission in between households and the scientific advice is that there is greater transmission of the virus indoors.’

Asked if the Government expected affected couples to socially distance if they meet outside, the spokesman said: ‘The rules set out that people should follow social distancing and the hands, face, space rules.’

People in tier two areas are not allowed to meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless they live together or are part of a support bubble. 

People can still see friends and family they do not live with outside, including in a garden or other outdoor space, and the rule of six applies.  

The restrictions are even stricter in tier three areas. People are not allowed to socialise with anybody they do not live with, or are in a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden. 

They can still meet in a group of no more than six in an outdoor public space like a park or a beach. 

Singletons’ lockdown nightmare: Millions face heartbreak during weeks of Tiers 2 and 3 restrictions… so CAN you still see your partner and where can you go on dates?

By Jessica Green for MailOnline 

Working on budding relationships or navigating the dating world was already tough enough, and now new coronavirus restrictions are set to make things even harder for couples who don’t live together and singletons looking for love. 

From midnight today, individuals from different households in London, Essex, York, North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield will be banned from mixing indoors, under Tier 2 restrictions. 

This means that people won’t be able to have their partners in their homes, if they’ve not already formed a support bubble, and a ban on meeting new dates in indoor settings such as pubs and restaurants. 

Meanwhile, those living under Tier 3 restrictions in Liverpool, which will also come into force in Lancashire tonight, will not be able to go on dates, due to a ban on socialising with anyone outside your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, private garden and most outdoor hospitality venues. 

However, publicans are warning that the rules will be near impossible to enforce, because couples can easily claim that they live together, and staff have no way of checking that they’re telling the truth.  

Guidance also suggests that ‘in the early stages of a relationship, you should take particular care to follow the guidance on social distancing’ and remain two metres apart from people you do not live with (or have not formed a support bubble with) where possible. 

Here, FEMAIL answers your questions on what the new restrictions mean for partners and singletons under Tier 2 and Tier 3 lockdown…

Can I still see my partner at home?

Yes, in certain circumstances. You may continue to see your partner at your home in Tier 2 and Tier 3 if you have formed a support bubble with them since September 14, or already live in the same household as them.

You can still visit each other, stay overnight, and visit public places together.

A support bubble is where a single-adult household, or a single parent with children under 18, joins with another household of any size. 

The bubble must be exclusive, meaning that once you’re in one you can’t switch to a different household, so if your partner was not in your support bubble prior to now, then you are not permitted to change.    

Can I see my partner outside?

Yes, in Tier 2. You may continue to see partners you do not live with (or have not formed a support bubble with) outside, including in a garden or other outdoor space.

But you must not enter inside spaces. You should only be inside venues and homes with people you live with or have formed a support bubble with.   

Can I still go on a date?

In Tier 2, people must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.

However, you can meet someone for a date as long as it’s in an outdoor setting, such as a pub garden, park or other outdoor space.  

As least one of you should give their contact details to the venue or check in using the official NHS Covid-19 app so NHS Test and Trace can contact you if needed.  

But, if you live in Tier 3 you can only socialise with people in your household or support bubble, even in outdoor settings, which spells trouble for new romances and budding relationships. 

Can I sit inside a pub or restaurant with my partner or a date? 

You must not meet anyone from outside your househod in any indoor setting in either Tier 2 or 3, unless they’re in your support bubble. 

However, Peter Down, the chair of Bradford Campaign for Real Ale, told the Telegraph and Argus that it will be very tricky to enforce the rules. 

‘Trying to manage single households and social bubbles is going to be really difficult. It puts the pub workers in a really difficult position,’ he said. 

‘How do they know people coming into their premises are a single household or a social bubble? What happens if a couple come in?’

Leeds-based pub worker Shawna Healey tweeted that she will be powerless to enforce the rule with her regulars.

‘If they all say they’re from the same household what do I do? I know they’d be lying but I can’t ask for proof,’ she said.

Where can I go with my date?

Singletons can still enjoy dates as long as it’s in an outdoor setting, such as pub gardens, parks or other outdoor spaces.

As least one of you should give their contact details to the venue or check in using the official NHS Covid-19 app so NHS Test and Trace can contact you if needed.

Where do I stand if I share a house or flat with other people? 

If you share cooking facilities, a bathroom and living room with other people, then this counts as a household. 

Your household as a whole can form a support bubble with another single adult household. 

But if one of the people you live with has already done this, then you can’t form another bubble with your own partner. 

You can still see them in an outdoor setting, but they will not be able to visit your house and you won’t be able to visit hospitality venues or other indoor settings with them. 

Can my partner visit if they are from outside my area?

No. If you live in a ‘tier two’ area you also cannot meet indoors with people from outside of the area, unless exceptions apply (see below). 

Can I go on holiday with my partner? 

No, unless they are in your household or support bubble.

You can still go on holiday outside of high alert level areas, but you must only do this with people in your household or support bubble.

You should avoid travelling to any part of the country subject to very high local Covid alert levels.

Can I move home with my partner?

Yes, you can still move home if you’re in a high alert level area. 

Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work and people looking to move home can continue to undertake viewings. 

Can I stay at a hotel or Airbnb home with my date? 

No. You can only travel within high alert level areas to hotels and other guest accommodation with people in your household or support bubble.

You can only stay in a private home – which includes self-catered accommodation such as holiday cottages, apartments or boats – with members of your own household or support bubble.

You can stay in a hotel or similar accommodation (for example, a hostel or bed and breakfast) with another household.

However you should avoid sharing rooms with people you do not live with or otherwise socialising indoors, for example in each other’s rooms, in reception areas, or in restaurants and bars. 

Can I bring a date home to stay the night?

No. People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. 

Can I still kiss or have sex with my date?

COVID-19 is not a sexually transmitted infection, however, it can be passed on through kissing and close contact, including having sex.

The UK government says: ‘If in the early stages of a relationship, you should take particular care to follow the guidance on social distancing’. 

This means staying two metres apart from people you do not live with (or have not formed a support bubble with) where possible, or one metre with extra precautions in place, such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors.

Face coverings should also be worn when inside public places.

Can I go on a date inside a pub or a restaurant? 

No. You must not meet socially with your dates indoors in any setting unless you live with them or have formed a support bubble with them. 

This includes private homes, and any other indoor venues such as pubs and restaurants. 

Can I meet my date in a pub garden?

Yes. You can gather in groups of six outside at venues which are following Covid-secure guidance, including pubs, restaurants, shops, leisure and entertainment venues and places of worship.

At least one person in the couple should give their contact details to the venue or check in using the official NHS Covid-19 app so NHS Test and Trace can contact you if needed. 

Should I share a car with someone on a date?

No, in most cases. The Government says it is difficult to socially distance during car journeys and transmission of coronavirus can occur in this context. 

So you should avoid travelling with someone from outside your household or your support bubble unless you can practise social distancing. 

What are the exceptions on people from different households gathering?  

• in a legally permitted support bubble or childcare bubble
• for work, volunteering to provide voluntary or charitable services
• for registered childcare, education or training
• for arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents or guardians
• for prospective adopting parents to meet a child or children who may be placed with them
• for supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care (before and after school childcare), youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups
• for birth partners
• to see someone who is dying
• to provide emergency assistance, and to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm
• to fulfil a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service
• to provide care or assistance to someone vulnerable
• to facilitate a house move
• for elite sportspeople and their coaches if necessary for competition and training, as well as parents or guardians if they are a child
• for outdoor exercise and dance classes, organised outdoor sport, and licensed outdoor physical activity
• indoor organised team sports for disabled people, and youth sport
• support groups of up to 15 participants – formally organised groups to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support (not to take place in private dwellings)
• protests – if organised in compliance with Covid-secure guidance

How long will the rules be in place?

The Government must review which areas are subjected to the rules at least once every 14 days, with the first due to be carried out by October 28.

The restrictions themselves must be reviewed every 28 days, with the first due to be carried out by November 11. The rules themselves expire in six months.  

Can I still meet friends in a pub garden? Should I cancel half-term trip to Cornwall? Your questions answered as Londoners are plunged into Tier 2 lockdown with parts of Essex, Surrey, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Derbyshire

By Mark Duell for MailOnline 

Nine million people in London are set to face tougher coronavirus restrictions banning households mixing indoors – including in pubs – from 0.01am on Saturday.

And London is not the only area which will be hit with the Government’s second-harshest lockdown level at midnight on Friday. 

Residents in Essex, Elmbridge, Barrow-in-Furness, York, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield and Erewash will also have the new restrictions imposed on them. 

Tier 2 rules includes a ban on meeting socially with friends and family indoors and weddings will be limited to 15 and funerals to 30. 

Gyms, shops, schools, universities and churches will stay open.

You can find out the current alert level in your area with the Government’s postcode checker by clicking here, but note it may change this weekend.

Here, MailOnline looks at what it will mean for all regions under Tier 2 lockdown from Saturday:

Can I still go to my friends’ house tonight?

Yes. Friday will be the last day when you can visit a friend’s house for now, but you must ensure no more than six people gather – and you leave before midnight.

Can I have my friends over from Saturday?

No. People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.

Can I see my friends inside a pub or a restaurant?

No. You must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless you live with them or have formed a support bubble with them. 

This includes private homes, and any other indoor venues such as pubs and restaurants. 

Can I meet my friends in a pub garden?

Yes. You can gather in groups of six outside at venues which are following Covid-secure guidance, including pubs, restaurants, shops, leisure and entertainment venues and places of worship.

At least one person in the group should give their contact details to the venue or check in using the official NHS Covid-19 app so NHS Test and Trace can contact you if needed.

Can I see friends outside?

Yes. You may continue to see friends and family you do not live with (or have not formed a support bubble with) outside, including in a garden or other outdoor space. 

When you do so, you must not meet in a group of more than six. 

Do children count in the ‘rule of six’ outdoors?

Yes. This limit of six for meeting people outdoors includes children of any age.

Can I still meet inside with people from my support bubble?

Yes. You will still count as one household who can meet together indoors or outdoors.

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 (see below).

Is the support bubble affected by London changing tier?

No. Your support bubble is still valid despite London going into a higher tier, so you can continue to function as one household. 

Can my friends visit if they are from outside London?

No. If you live in a ‘tier two’ area you also cannot meet indoors with people from outside of the area, unless exceptions apply (see final question below). 

Can I go to stay at a hotel or Airbnb home within London? 

Yes. You can still travel within high alert level areas to hotels and other guest accommodation, but you should only do this with people in your household or support bubble.

You can only stay in a private home – which includes self-catered accommodation such as holiday cottages, apartments or boats – with members of your own household or support bubble.

You can stay in a hotel or similar accommodation (for example, a hostel or bed and breakfast) with another household.

However you should avoid sharing rooms with people you do not live with or otherwise socialising indoors, for example in each other’s rooms, in reception areas, or in restaurants and bars.

Can I still go on holiday outside London?

Yes, with exceptions. You can still go on holiday outside of high alert level areas, but you must only do this with people in your household or support bubble.

Can I still go on holiday to Wales? 

Probably not. Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford is proposing a travel ban on visits to Wales by people living in areas of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland with high levels of Covid-19 from Friday. 

He said police in Wales could use number plate technology to catch people from UK coronavirus hotspots who illegally enter the country. 

Can I still go on holiday to a tier three area like Liverpool?

No. You should avoid travelling to any part of the country subject to very high local Covid alert levels.

Can I still move home or look at a house in London?

Yes. You can still move home. Estate and letting agents and removals firms can also continue to work and people looking to move home can continue to undertake viewings. 

Do I have to end my current holiday outside London if it’s with another household?

No. At the time that the new local restrictions are brought in, if you are currently on holiday with another household outside London, but are from London, and are staying in a private home and it is not reasonable for you to curtail your stay, you should finish your holiday as planned. 

The Government advises that until the end of this holiday you should ‘make every effort to reduce socialising indoors outside of your household and follow local regulations and guidance’.

Can I still use public transport?

Yes, but with restrictions. The Government says you may continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, for work, voluntary, charitable or youth services, or to access education, but you should ‘aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible’. 

If you need to travel, the Government encourages people to walk or cycle where possible, or to plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. This will allow you to practise social distancing while you travel. 

Do the tier two rules follow me if I travel outside my area? 

Yes. The rules are based on the highest tier level out of a) where you live and b) where you are visiting. 

Therefore, if you live in London, you must abide by London’s rules wherever you go.

But if you are from a tier one area and are visiting London, you must abide by the rules for London.

Can I visit my parents in an area outside of London?

Yes. However you must follow the rules applying to where you live, so you would have to meet them outside and ensure there is not a group of more than six people.

Can I still commute into London if I live in a tier one region outside the capital? 

Yes. The Government says people can continue to travel into a high alert area for work, but should ‘aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible’.

Are the exceptions to the rule of six for children? 

Yes. There are exceptions from legal gatherings limits for registered childcare, education or training, and supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups. 

This means you can continue to use early years and childcare settings, including childminders, after-school clubs and nannies. 

Who can provide childcare support in private homes and gardens?

Registered childcare providers including nannies, people in your support bubble or people in your childcare bubble.

What is the definition of a childcare bubble? 

A childcare bubble is where someone in one household provides informal (unpaid and unregistered) childcare to a child aged 13 or under in another household. 

For any given childcare bubble, this must always be between the same two households.

Friends or family who do not live with you and are not part of a support or childcare bubble must not visit your home to help with childcare. 

Childcare bubbles are to be used to provide childcare only, and not for the purposes of different households mixing where they are otherwise not allowed to do so. 

Can I meet with a household from another flat inside the property where I live? 

No. The Government’s definition of a household is one person living alone, or a group of people (not necessarily related) living at the same address who share cooking facilities and share a living room, sitting room or dining area. 

A household can consist of a single family, more than one family or no families in the case of a group of unrelated people. 

Therefore people who live in different self-contained flats cannot meet with each other.

Can I visit my grandparent in a care home?

No, with exceptions. You should not visit a care home except in exceptional circumstances, for example to visit an individual who is at the end of their life. 

Will shops still be open?

Yes. Non-essential retail as well as essential stores will remain open for customers.

Will I be fined if I am caught having a meeting in a group that is illegal? 

Yes. Meeting in larger groups is against the law, although there are certain exceptions (see final question). 

The police can take action against you if you meet in larger groups, which includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fixed penalty notice fines.

You can be fined £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400. 

If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.

Can I attend a wedding? 

Yes, with restrictions. Up to a maximum of 15 people can attend weddings or equivalent ceremonies and receptions where the organiser has carried out a risk assessment and ‘taken all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the virus’. 

But receptions should be sit down meals to ensure people can keep their distance from each other, and must not take place in private homes. 

Can I attend a funeral? 

Yes, with restrictions. Up to a maximum of 30 people can attend a funeral. Wakes and other commemorative events are permitted with up to 15 people present, but these cannot take place in private dwellings. 

Where food or drink is consumed, this should be in the form of a sit down meal. 

Anyone working at a wedding, civil partnership ceremony, reception, wake or funeral is not generally counted as part of the limit. 

People living outside of London in a tier one area can travel to the capital to attend an event, but they must not meet with another household indoors. 

Can I still go to church?

Yes. You can still attend places of worship for a service in London. However, you must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble.   

Can I attend an indoor exercise class? 

Yes, with restrictions. Indoor exercise classes and other activity groups can only continue provided that households or support bubbles do not mix. Where it is likely that groups will mix, these activities must not go ahead. 

There are exceptions to enable disability and youth sport and physical activity indoors, in any number.

Can I still take place in sports activities outdoors?

Yes. In line with guidelines from national sporting bodies, you can take part in sport and physical activity outdoors.

Can I still have a street party?

Yes, but as long as it is outside and no more six people gather, following Covid restrictions. 

Can a tradesperson come into my house? 

Yes. A tradesperson can go into a household without breaching the rules if they are there for work.  

What if I am clinically vulnerable?

The Government advises that those aged 70 or over, pregnant women or those with an underlying health condition can go outside as much as they like but ‘should still try to keep your overall social interactions low’.

Should I share a car with someone from outside my household?

No, in most cases. The Government says it is difficult to socially distance during car journeys and transmission of coronavirus can occur in this context. 

So you should avoid travelling with someone from outside your household or your support bubble unless you can practise social distancing. 

Does the 10pm curfew still apply to pubs and restaurants?

Yes. Certain businesses selling food or drink on their premises are still required to close between 10pm and 5am. 

Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through. Orders must be made via phone, online or by post. 

Are hospitality venues at motorway services still exempt from the curfew? 

Yes. Hospitality venues in ports, on transport services and in motorway service areas do not need to close at 10pm, but must not serve alcohol after that time.  

Can I still go to work in the office?

Yes, with exceptions. The Government advises that ‘office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter’. 

It adds: ‘Where an employer, in consultation with their employee, judges an employee can carry out their normal duties from home they should do so.’

Public sector employees working in essential services, including education settings, should continue to go into work where necessary.

The Government also says that ‘anyone else who cannot work from home should go to their place of work’. 

Those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable can go to work as long as the workplace is Covid-secure, but should still work from home wherever possible.

Can I still go to school or college?

Yes. The Government says it has ‘prioritised ensuring all children can attend school safely, to support their wellbeing and education and help working parents and guardians’.

Can I still go to university? 

Yes. Universities have welcomed students back and students are allowed to move home and travel to go there.

However those in tier two areas must not move backward and forward between their permanent home and term time address during term time – subject to limited exemptions.

Students living at their university term time address in a high alert level area should follow the same guidance on meeting other people and travel as others in that area.

Can I commute into London or another high alert level area to go to university?

Yes. Commuter students – defined as those who live at a family home and travel to/from university each day – should be able to continue to travel to/from their university as required, for education purposes.

However, you must not meet people you do not live with in their home inside the area, unless they’re in your household, childcare or support bubble

You can also not host people you do not live with in your home, if they live in the affected area, unless they’re in your childcare or support bubble

You must also not meet people you do not live with in their student halls, whether inside or outside of the area, unless they’re in your childcare or support bubble.

If you move out of, or currently live outside of, an affected area you should not host people you do not live with in your home or student halls if they live in a high alert level area, unless they’re in your household, support bubble or childcare bubble.

Will Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph go ahead?

Yes, with restrictions. Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph on November 8 will take place but will be closed to the public.

Crowds will not be allowed to go to the service and will be asked to mark the day at home. The usual Royal British Legion march past has also been cancelled.

It is expected that members of the Royal Family and dignitaries will still attend to lay wreaths to remember the fallen. 

What are the exceptions on people from different households gathering?  

• in a legally permitted support bubble or childcare bubble
• for work, volunteering to provide voluntary or charitable services
• for registered childcare, education or training
• for arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents or guardians
• for prospective adopting parents to meet a child or children who may be placed with them
• for supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care (before and after school childcare), youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups
• for birth partners
• to see someone who is dying
• to provide emergency assistance, and to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm
• to fulfil a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service
• to provide care or assistance to someone vulnerable
• to facilitate a house move
• for elite sportspeople and their coaches if necessary for competition and training, as well as parents or guardians if they are a child
• for outdoor exercise and dance classes, organised outdoor sport, and licensed outdoor physical activity
• indoor organised team sports for disabled people, and youth sport
• support groups of up to 15 participants – formally organised groups to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support (not to take place in private dwellings)
• protests – if organised in compliance with Covid-secure guidance

How long will the rules be in place?

The Government must review which areas are subjected to the rules at least once every 14 days, with the first due to be carried out by October 28.

The restrictions themselves must be reviewed every 28 days, with the first due to be carried out by November 11. The rules themselves expire in six months.