When can you see friends and family inside your house?

The UK is slowly easing its way out of lockdown, with more restrictions set to be lifted from next week.

The Government has already announced that schools will open for some primary school years from 1 June, while car showrooms and outdoor markets can also re-open on that date followed by other non-essential retail on 15 June.

However we’re still waiting to hear about any changes in the number of family and friends people can see – and where they can see them.

Just when will you be able to have a friend or relative to your home again?

When can you see friends and family inside your house?

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Currently, people can meet up with one other person from outside their household, but it has to be in an outdoor setting and social distancing measures of staying two metres apart must be maintained.

At the moment this has to be in a public place such as a park – so meeting in people’s gardens or inside their homes is currently off limits.

However, the Government is said to be working on new proposals which will allow slightly larger groups of people to meet – meaning that you could see more than one friend or family member at a time.

Reports have suggested these gatherings could include ‘social bubbles’ of up to 10 people but would have to take place outdoors – potentially allowing for small garden parties or barbecues to take place.

The government is said to favour the ‘bubble’ system, with a spokesperson for the Prime Minister telling The Telegraph they are ‘open to the idea’.

They added that the government is ‘alive to the issue of social isolation and the need for mental wellbeing’. Ministers are also said to have been advised by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) that the risk of a coronavirus reemergence will be lessened by people meeting up outdoors.

So you could be allowed to welcome friends and family to your home very soon – as long as they don’t actually go inside.

The Government is expected to announce more changes to the current measures later this week.

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