Forum Topic

I can meet up to 29 colleagues indoors for lunch or dinner, but...

So, a loophole in the new rules mean that I can meet up to 29 colleagues indoors for lunch or dinner, assuming we are discussing business, but I can't go out with my wife and two friends, or meet up with two members of my family who live in a different household?I'm sorry, but no wonder rules are being broken or ignored if they are so nonsensical or confusing as this. How on earth can anyone justify a gathering of up to 30 people indoors (and plenty of restaurants are emailing their customers announcing this fact), when a group of six are not allowed unless outside?!Perhaps each gathering should just start with a brief 30 second generic business update, and then the virus will know to stay away...

Mark Edwards ● 2200d15 Comments

I guess the simple answer is that business meetings may be necessary to keep many sectors of the economy ticking over, whereas meeting a large group of friends in a social setting is not (bar the hospitality sector).Further, businesses may be more likely to enforce, and be able to enforce, proper anti-Covid measures during a daytime meeting than a random group of friends getting together for eg a birthday celebration on a Friday night.No alcohol, for a start.

Richard Cathcart ● 2200d

Haha, spot on, Mark.  It's ludicrous.

Claire Moran ● 2200d

"So, a loophole in the new rules mean that I can meet up to 29 colleagues indoors for lunch or dinner, assuming we are discussing business"Of course there will be loopholes and the more idiots who jump through the loop the more people will get infected and spread the virus. More people will die. Why would any decent person want to behave so irresponsibly just because they see a 'loophole' to act like a moron.

Steve Taylor ● 2200d

Sorry, Richard, but your response is utterly clueless.Business meetings have been conducted via Zoom, etc. for months now with many companies reporting improved productivity. Social engagement with friends and family promotes well being. A business is fully capable of necessary enforcement regardless of time or day.I read an article on this yesterday with complete incredulity. I can take a booking for a party of six, but I can't take a booking for a party of seven or eight or nine when typically these groups include a majority from one household or two. Yet thirty unrelated colleagues can eat and drink all afternoon elbow to elbow?If you are prone to saying "businesses should just get on with it and survival of the fittest" let me know how you get on squaring the circle in light of this particular regulation.

David Lesniak ● 2200d

As I say, I am getting inundated with emails from restaurants I am on the mailing lists of. This is a typical example:We wish to make it clear - when the topic is business, you can still meet over a fabulous working lunch or dinner without the restriction of the 'single household rule', i.e. mixed households are permitted up to six guests.We can host up to 30 people within our private dining spaces for business meetings.Finally, guests are allowed to dine with mixed households on our outside terraces with up to six people.We hope this clears up any confusion.So, when the topic is business, the no mixed household rule does not apply! It might 'clear up the confusion', but I for one am extremely confused. We all know that business lunches are not a requirement to running a successful company - this will just be used as an excuse to meet up with people outside of your household in a social setting.With loopholes like this, what is the point of bringing in these additional set of restrictions? Whether we agree or not, the whole thing becomes irrelevant when we don't have to adhere to them.

Mark Edwards ● 2200d

So how would it work if you were a family business living in separate households and there were 12 of you?

Chris Blackwell ● 2200d

"So how would it work if..."Precisely.

David Lesniak ● 2200d

You could still meet for lunch or dinner if you are discussing business.

Steve Taylor ● 2200d

If people were sensible it would work exactly how Richard said, butSadly ..........

Janice Evans ● 2200d

There could be lots of business meetings on Christmas Day 😉

Janice Evans ● 2200d

I have to go to a funeral in a Tier 2 city.  The funeral directors apparently say that 30 people can be in the church and all other potential mourners can stand around In groups of 6 outside watching the service streamed live.  I’ve checked the rules and can’t see this scenario stated anywhere.  Does anyone know if this true?I don’t want to get there and then be turned away.

Lucy Chambers ● 2200d

Suggest to check with your local Councillors or MP

Steve Taylor ● 2199d

Might be helpful ...Q: I am in Tier 2 (London) but going to a funeral in Tier 1 (Hampshire) tomorrow.  Do I follow Tier 1 rules?A: There are no significant differences between the current rules for funeral services in Tiers 1 or 2 in England. In each, there is a limit of 30 people allowed to the service, and 15 people are allowed to attend a wake.The government has published guidance for managing funeral services (although this has not been updated since the current tier system came into operation).It recognises the importance of funerals "for the health and wellbeing of the bereaved" but stresses the importance of staying safe - including social distancing and the wearing of face coverings in the funeral venue.This is the referenced link to the government guidance.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

Catherine Steele ● 2199d

Thanks, I’ve read the guidance but was querying whether it was ok, as the funeral directors have indicated, to have 30 people inside the church plus a random number of  people outside the venue as well, watching the service being streamed.  I suspect not, so am surprised by the funeral directors indicating this.Just wondered if anyone has had a similar scenario.

Lucy Chambers ● 2199d

DL: "Business meetings have been conducted via Zoom, etc. for months now with many companies reporting improved productivity."I know, I live with a WFH who's never off Zoom. But there are still some businesses where some people are still going into the workplace who might benefit from this exemption.As will the restauranteurs. DL: "If you are prone to saying 'businesses should just get on with it and survival of the fittest'..."No I'm not.And I hope I'm not prone to making baseless assumptions about others whom I don't know, either.

Richard Cathcart ● 2199d