When Lock Down Is Lifted On Monday

[Barsel]

Does this mean everyone can go out ? I received a letter from the NHS dated 2nd April which says I have to stay at home for at least 12 weeks from the date of the letter which takes us to June 25th.I'm sure my family members will be arranging to meet up next week but will I have to wait another 3 weeks before I can join them?

[diddlydo]

The NHS letters were advice but not mandatory so you can actually do whatever you feel comfortable with. Now that, as from Monday, we can meet up with friends and/or family outside in groups of up to 6 people, why not meet in somebody's garden? Personally I feel that is much safer than the park where you have to avoid other people - we shall be meeting our children and grandchildren next weekend in our garden and are very excited about it!

[THECORBYLOON]

The advice is exactly that, advice. It is your choice whether to follow it or no. If you don't, it's not illegal so don't worry worry about it

[Barsel]

Ok THECORBYLOON . I notice the link you sent me was from 18th May, so perhaps that might be updated soon. Will and see what next week brings. Thanks all. x

[Barsel]

Will wait and see.

[diddlydo]

Just invite your family over and join them in the garden and enjoy their company. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[THECORBYLOON]

Other advice has been updated to take into account the changes but the advice in mines hasn't because it remains the same.

The PM did say something about folk having to remain shielded in his briefing yesterday.

[shoota]

I think your plan of sitting indoors with your family outside is a good solution.
Only you can decide if the minimal extra risk that involves is worth it.

[THECORBYLOON]

The PM said yesterday, "I should add that, at this stage, I am afraid that those who have been asked to shield themselves should continue to do so.

I want to say to those extremely clinically vulnerable people who are being shielded that I do understand how difficult this has been for you, especially. And I want to thank you for all the efforts you have gone to - because your actions have helped the NHS to cope."

[Barsel]

"I want to say to those extremely clinically vulnerable people who are being shielded that I do understand how difficult this has been for you" Boris Johnson.
No he doesn't know at all. Only other people who live alone as I do know what it's like not to be able to see your family for all this time and then be told you still can't see them.
I will have to play it by ear and see how much longer I can cope.
Thanks to all.

[THECORBYLOON]

It's advice only, mind.

[LadyCG]

Are you immunosuppressed, Basel?

[Deskdiary]

Do what you feel you are safe with. My wife and went to a BBQ last weekend with about a dozen friends, and none of are dead yet or displaying any symptoms.

[New Judge]

//My wife and went to a BBQ last weekend with about a dozen friends//

Take that man's name, sergeant! :-)

[retrocop]

I know his name NJ!

[woofgang]

Barsel....nobody is saying or has ever said that you can't. They have given you the facts, talked about the risks and given strong advice. There are two aspects to this. The risk to other people and the risk to yourself. Provided that you observe the same social distancing and so on as everybody else then you are no more of a risk to other people than anyone else is. The shielding thing is mostly about the risk to yourself, although earlier on in the process it was also about NHS capacity. As things stand, that is currently not longer an issue so its the risk to yourself that you have to consider and only you can decide about that. You haven't been told that you can't see your family. You have been told that for you and people like you the situation is still a much bigger risk than for people in better health.

[jno]

jno jnr and wife came to see us last weekend (he wanted us to do something for him, but that's okay, we had things we needed him to do too). We mostly kept our distance but forgot once or twice. But we've mostly been isolating for the last couple of months and so have they, apart from occasional supermarket visits and "exercising". There wasn't any problem.

Does that sort of describe you? Have your family members been careful who they mix with or have they been holding BBQs and raves in their garden? O focurse you'll want to see them again but you may need to ask them nicely just what risks they've been running.

If you're confident that they're uninfected, go for it.

[fiction-factory]

I can see why you want to see them. Best to let them come to your garden if possible unless you can easily get to a park without bumping into strangers en route. But you are very strongly advised to keep at least 2 metres away and best to make sure all surfaces, gates etc in your garden are disinfected before you touch them and don't let them in your house. Also keep to the maximum group size