Boris Johnson says adults who live alone in England will be able to have sleepovers – but stops short of allowing hook-ups
Couples in England who live alone and separately will be allowed to have sleepovers. (Envato Elements)
In excellent news for couples living apart, Boris Johnson has announced plans for “support bubbles” which will allow people living alone in England to have sleepovers.
The prime minister confirmed that as of Saturday (June 13), adults who live alone will be allowed to spend the night at one other household of any size as part of a “support bubble”.
This effectively means that couples living apart where one or both people live alone will be allowed to sleep together for the first time in months.
Johnson said he knows “how hard” lockdown has been for people who live alone.
“We’re making this change to support those who are particularly lonely,” he said at a press briefing, confirming that those enjoying sleepovers will not have to follow social distancing guidelines.
Support bubbles aren’t quite a return to hook-ups.
He confirmed that people who do not live alone will not be able to visit other multi-person households just yet.
“It is not designed for those who do not qualify to start meeting inside people’s homes, because that remains against the law,” he explained.
“We don’t generally want to encourage households mingling”.
Those who are shielding cannot take part in support bubbles.
Currently, and until Saturday, it is against the law to have indoor sex with anybody other than a partner that you live with.
An amendment to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Bill introduced June 1 stated: “No person may participate in a gathering which takes place in a public or private place indoors, and consists of two or more persons.”
It was already against regulations to visit another person’s house without a valid excuse – sex not counting among them.
However the amendment meant that couples who decided to hook up anyway could be fined up to £100.
Other countries have taken less austere approaches to hook-ups.
The head of the Danish Health Authority said in April that “one must be able to have sex”, simply advising Danes to avoid large groups.
In New York, the guidance has been to avoid hook-ups, but they have not been outlawed.
As the city begins to lift its lockdown, health officials have advised people wear masks when hooking up, and consider using glory holes.
