Stay home, protect our NHS, save lives

Under the Government’s current social distancing rules, hosting social gatherings or parties in your home is illegal.

While the majority of tenants are obeying these rules put in place to help slow the spread of coronavirus, there is a worrying number of people who are breaking the rules, putting their lives, and the lives of others, at risk.

What do we mean by a social gathering?

This is a gathering or party in your home that includes people who do not live there. This includes family members who do not live with you. These gatherings might be inside your home or in the front or rear gardens.

How will these rules be enforced?

In the first instance, Livv Housing Group and Merseyside Police will try as much as possible to deal with these incidents by speaking to the tenant and reminding them of the current social distancing rules. A failure to abide by the government guidelines is viewed very seriously and the police have been given new powers to prevent behaviour which puts other people’s health at risk. Livv Housing Group will co-operate fully in assisting the police to carry out their duties to prevent illegal social gatherings.

If a tenant ignores this guidance and continues to have social gatherings, we will have no choice but to consider legal proceedings against them. The civil courts have shown a willingness to grant injunctions where these gatherings pose a nuisance and a risk to the safety of the community.

We want to avoid this as much as possible and ask that tenants follow the government’s social distancing rules.

What are the government rules?

There are guidelines in place to explain what you should do:

• stay at home – only go outside for food, daily exercise or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• if you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• wash your hands as soon as you get home
• do not meet others, even friends or family – you can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms
• visit the government website for a full list.

What should I do if I’m worried about people not following social distancing in my community?

If you are concerned about activity in your community that doesn’t follow social distancing guidelines please call 101 and we will work closely with Merseyside Police to take action.

We know that the vast majority of people are following social distancing rules and doing their bit to help fight coronavirus in our communities – we thank you all.

Stay home, stay safe, protect our NHS.