How many people can come to my house? Latest guidance on visiting households and private gardens in England

Following the latest easing of restrictions in England, which has seen pubs, restaurants and hotels reopen to customers, a sense of normality is gradually returning.

Alongside the reopening of businesses, the government has relaxed rules on visiting other households, allowing families who have been separated for months to reunite.

But what do the latest rules say about meeting other people? Here’s what you need to know.

How many people can come to my house?

Current rules in England state that two households of any size can meet in any location - public or private, indoors or outdoors - and this does not need to be the same household each time.

People are now also permitted to stay overnight in groups of up to two households, with accommodation including each other’s homes, or hotels and apartments.

It is advised that, where possible, people should socially distance from those they do not normally live with and take extra care to maintain good hygiene, including washing hands and surfaces, and avoiding shared facilities, such as bathrooms, if they can.

Those in single adult households, or who live with dependent children, can continue to have close contact with the one household they have formed a ‘support bubble’ with. This merging of two households should be exclusive and must not change.

You should only stay overnight in groups of up to two households and this includes each other’s homes, or other accommodation, such as hotels or apartments.

Particular care should be taken to maintain excellent hygiene, including washing hands and surfaces, and avoiding using shared facilities, such as bathrooms, wherever possible.

Guidance also states that you should try to avoid passing each other food or drink, unless you live together or are in a support bubble, and plates or utensils should be thoroughly cleaned before use.

However, tougher restrictions have recently been reimposed in parts of West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and East Lancashire, with people who live in the affected areas no longer allowed to meet with people who do not live in their household in a private home or garden.

Rules also prevent people from mixing with another household in other indoor public venues, such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops and places or worship. This rule does not apply to people who are in a support bubble, as they count as part of their household.

People are still allowed to meet outdoors in public spaces, such as parks, in groups of no larger than six, unless everyone is from two households.

Where are households not allowed to meet?

The mixing of households has been banned from 31 July for certain areas in Greater Manchester, parts of East Lancashire and West Yorkshire, as well as in Leicester and most recently in Preston.

People who live in these affected areas are no longer allowed to meet with people who do not live in their household in a private home or garden.

Rules also prevent people from mixing with another household in other indoor public venues, such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops and places or worship. This rule does not apply to people who are in a support bubble, as they count as part of their household.

People are still allowed to meet outdoors in public spaces, such as parks, in groups of no larger than six, unless everyone is from two households.

Rules state that people living inside and outside of the affected areas can continue to travel in and out for work, but should not travel outside of their area to meet with people, other than those in their support bubble, in their homes, gardens or indoor public places.

People can also still go on holiday outside of their area, but must only do this with people in their household, or who they have formed a support bubble with.

The areas affected by the restrictions are as follows:

West Yorkshire

Bradford

Calderdale

Kirklees

East Lancashire

Blackburn with Darwen

Burnley

Hyndburn

Pendle

Rossendale

Greater Manchester

City of Manchester

Trafford

Stockport

Oldham

Bury

Wigan

Bolton

Tameside

Rochdale

Salford

Preston

How many people can come to my garden?

Groups of up to six people from different households are permitted to meet in any outdoors space, including private gardens, yards and roof terraces.

It is against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes, including gardens and other public outdoor spaces, unless planned by an organisation in compliance with Covid-19 secure guidelines.

Government guidance states that social distancing should continue to be maintained for those who are not in your household or support bubble.

Access to private gardens should be done externally wherever possible, but if you do need to pass through the house, or need to use the toilet while visiting, avoiding touching surfaces where possible is advised.

You should wash your hands thoroughly, wipe down surfaces and use separate towels, or paper towels, and wash or dispose of them safely after use.

Hand sanitiser should be used while you are out and as soon as you return home, you should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.