Thread by @AdamWagner1

Well, it's been quite a ride

(short, non-comprehensive thread on illegal dating and sex 2020-21)

https://twitter.com/zoesqwilliams/status/1358451898068664322

During most of the first lockdown (26 March - 1 June 2020) sex and dating between couples who didn't live in the same household was probably illegal.

That's because dating/sex wasn't on the list of "reasonable excuses" to be outside the home

legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/…

On 13 May 2020 the rules were relaxed slightly so that people not from the same household could meet outside the home for exercise or open air recreation

So you could 'recreate' with someone outside, but not inside

legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/500/…

Then, on 1 June, the lockdown kind of ended because it was no longer illegal to be outside the home without a reasonable excuse

But it moved indoors as it became illegal to gather in or stay over at someone else's home unless an exception applied

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1267093628003983362?s=20

I pointed out at the time, with some surprise, that this amounted to a sex ban (unless it was for work purposes etc)

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1267105533351297025?s=20

Weirdly that was reported around the world including in Cosmopolitan cosmopolitan.com/uk/reports/a32…

This led, 12 days later, to the introduction of "linked households" (support bubbles) - a person living alone could "link" with another household and be one household with them

So a limited way to get around the prohibition on indoor gatherings

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1271460571783757832?s=20herigns

That was presented as a way single people could stay the night with loved ones (but not great for dating as once you linked with a household there was no way of linking with another even if you broke with the first)

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1270752316166201344?s=20

Then on 3 July, the limit on indoor gatherings was removed entirely

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1279069608776007681?s=20

But a month later the sex ban was back... if you lived in the North of England

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1290651492999888897?s=20

There were a number of local lockdown laws which were brought in during this period which switched the sex ban on and off in various areas (see docs.google.com/document/d/1ne…)

Nb this was all really serious for people starting relationships but kind of seen as collateral damage to lockdown restrictions

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1267165927235297280?s=20

As late as 23 September (6 months after the March lockdown) the government released guidance on people in "established relationships" on whether they should socially distance from each other.

(nb the 2 meter rules has never been part of law in England)

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1308793043349372932?s=20

Then came the November/December lockdown - again no gatherings of more than 1 indoors so not great for sex with someone not in your household if not a linked household, but you could go out for exercise/open air recreation with anyone

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1323673973306044418?s=20

Then we had the December relaxation including Christmas Linked Gatherings, the three tiers and generally a looser set of rules. So not bad for dating especially if you were in one of the lower tiers

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1333435777464881155

And that brings us to the present day, where we are in Lockdown 3, which began on 6 January. This goes back to the strictures of the 26 March lockdown except you can meet outdoors for exercise with someone not from your household

https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1346513665193873412

One important thing to note is that the government no longer has its guidance about people in established relationships, so the implication is tough luck unless you (1) live together or (2) are part of a linked household gov.uk/government/pub…

You're welcome! 💕💘💝

The least romantic thread in history = a lawyer explaining all the ways sex and dating have been illegal in 2020-21

https://twitter.com/RosieisaHolt/status/1358465742195347459?s=20

Oh and another important change since the Autumn is that you can now switch linked households as long as you wait 10 days after the break. So not bad for dating but depends on your schedule and speed! legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374…

So, to conclude, sex indoors with someone not from your household or linked household has been illegal for more than half of the period since 26 March 2020 to today. Dating has been illegal on and off.

Agreed. Linked households have only ever been a limited exception and eg useless for individuals who both live in flat shares

https://twitter.com/Shmeggeg1/status/1358482756204978176

Reliably informed the people of Leicester have been unable to have sex indoors with someone not from their household/linked household for entire period from 23 March to now - 10 months. Correct: 4 July when indoor restrictions relaxed in England they had local restrictions added

Also the or original three tiers introduced on 14 Oct not dating or Dec friendly in tiers 2/3. So basically it’s been a sad old year for everyone but especially Leicester

Oh yes and Manchester since 8 August has had strict restrictions so basically only had a month of being able to meet indoors.

For those saying this is unprecedented, sex between gay men indoors and out was illegal until 1967 when it was made legal indoors from age 21. Age of consent wasn’t reduced to 16 as it is with heterosexual men and women until 2001

True. I was focused on dating because that was the question I was originally asked but this equally applies to people in long term relationships who don’t live together

https://twitter.com/joshuablake_/status/1358499987299192835