Monday 29th March sees 6 people or 2 households able to meet in the open air in England.
My sister wants some of the family to meet up the following Easter weekend and although that will only involve 5 people it will, in fact, involve 4 households.
The government wording seems a little ambiguous so what interpretation should we put on it?

Apply the 6 people rule.

Two households could be as an example, 13 people, one household (same bubble) could be 2+4 children, another could be 2+4 and one grandparent who all live together (same bubble).

That's how I see it, it just allows 2 large families from two different bubbles to meet, if that makes sense.

I do not think the guidance is ambiguous.  The government's web pages say:
"Changes on 29 March
Social contact
The evidence shows that it is safer for people to meet outdoors rather than indoors. And this is why from 29 March, when most schools start to break up for the Easter holidays, outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either 6 people (the Rule of 6) or 2 households will also be allowed, making it easier for friends and families to meet outside."
And also:
"How the rules will change on 29 March
Some of the rules on what you can and cannot do will change on 29 March. You can read the 'COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021' for more information on the roadmap out of lockdown in England.
From 29 March:
you will be able to meet outdoors either in a group of 6 (from any number of households), or in a group of any size from up to 2 households (each household can include existing support bubbles, if eligible). "

According to those you are good to go.

The only question is whether the guidance is accurate and properly reflects the actual legislation and the police interpret the legislation in the same way.  In this case it seems clear enough.

Actually re reading it there is some ambiguity because it does not say 6 or less.   I think that is implicit but just in case 6 people exactly is compulsory you had better invite an extra person.

Sadly all this lifting of restrictions is not applicable to me and SWMBO as she has been ill for a month with a chest infection that is proving hard to get over (not Covid), and the mother of one of the children who is 'bubbled' with my 8 year old grand-daughter has just been diagnosed with Covid.
So the three grandchildren and their parents we've been desperate to visit/have visit for months and months is firmly off limits for some time yet. :'(

And frankly I think it's too soon to be lifting restrictions yet. Just my opinion.

As per the above posts, up to six people, which can be from up to six households, or two households, if they include more than six people.

Quote from: daffy on March 27, 2021, 10:21:33 PM
And frankly I think it's too soon to be lifting restrictions yet. Just my opinion.

It's a difficult choice and one I don't envy the scientists and government for having to make.

Although, to be perfectly honest, when the nice weather comes I fully expect that a significant number will basically do what they like. We don't have enough police to prevent them and they know it. Many will take the gamble that it won't be them that gets caught. Some will be unlucky but many will get away with it.

Unfortunately, the gamble applies to both getting fined and getting infected.

I can't say that I'm looking forward to Easter and beyond yet, when I predict that our little corner of Cumbria, just outside The Lakes and with nice beaches which have been described in the papers as "hidden gems" will be flooded with tourists. 2 PCSOs and the occasional proper copper won't stand a chance of stopping them. Of course, our shops, camp sites, restaurants and cafes are desperate for the business but I don't think the risk is sufficiently reduced yet.

Thank heavens we've got all our older and more vulnerable people jabbed with their first vaccination doses now, and we've started on the 2nd doses too. We've got a couple of hundred done so far with another 900 or so to be done next weekend - including me  and the other volunteers who've been helping with the vaccination clinics and many other support roles over the last year.

He missed Step 5

Meetup with all your drunk friends on the Covid ward of your local hospital.

Drinks hugging and falling over each over is what spreads this disease.

[mod]I know I live half a world away, but I feel this discussion should stay focused on the meaning of the government directive?[/mod]

I find the chart I posted is easier to remember than the government chart. It is taken from the government chart anyway.

The situation from tomorrow in England is quite simple. You can meet with up to 5 other people from other households outdoors. Outdoors includes private gardens. Social distancing is still required. Groups can be larger than 6 if all of those  meeting are from just two households .

Additionally, from tomorrow, the legal requirement to stay at home except for stated reasons is dropped. It is replaced by a more generic "stay local". This is open to interpretation. My interpretation is that it's ok to go to some of my favourite places that are around 20 miles away but going 100 miles to the seaside is not allowed. Having a big day out is also not a good idea at the moment.

I have followed the rules and only gone out on essential missions and have taken exercise within a couple of miles of my house. Having said that the local exercise areas have always been rather busy and I would have felt safer travelling just a little further away from home where there are less people. Tomorrow I will go to at least one favourite spot that I haven't visited since October. I'm quite excited!

Yes, I can now get back to walking stretches of the coastline closest to my home - about 25 minutes drive away - without fearing that I'll get fined for being the only person on the beach for miles.

Thanks, Folks