Here are some FAQs and answers

Your home - what is allowed by law

​

Who can visit?

​

As long as the total number of people (including you) does not exceed 30 at any one time, you are free to invite people from as many different households as you like to your private home and to meet with them at the same time,  whether indoors or outdoors.

​

Who can stay overnight?

​

Subject to the maximum gathering limit of 30 people, there is no legal restriction on who can stay overnight at your home.

​

How long can they stay?

​

There is no restriction on the length of time people can stay (including a sleepover) at your home. 

​

If I hold a party in my home, do I have to supply face masks to party goers?

​

No.  Provided the event is a private party in your own home and there are no more than 30 people present, you have no legal obligation to provide masks and there is no legal obligation on your guests to wear them either.

​

If I invite guests to my home do we have to keep 2 metres apart?

​

No.  There is no legal obligation on you to do so.  The “2 metre” or “1 metre plus” rule has no basis in legislation as far as private households are concerned. It is a guideline only. 

​

In the community

​

Are pubs, bars, restaurants or places of worship legally obliged to collect customer contact information from me by law?

​

No.  It is up to the individual establishment whether or not they want to do this. Collecting data for the NHS track and trace system by those venues is purely voluntary. 

​

Can a venue refuse me entry if I refuse to give them my personal contact details?

​

Yes. But not because of anything in the lockdown regulations.  Most venues are privately owned and have the right to impose their own terms for entry. (That is not to say that there wouldn’t be grounds for a legal challenge on some other basis).