Dating is hard at the best of times. Do I give up a Saturday night instead of midweek? Do I take them for cocktails or a meal? Do I even want to meet this person or am I just bored? These are just some of the dilemmas we were faced with before there was a global pandemic. Now there's lockdowns and social distancing to add to the minefield that is already dating. Will we be breaking the law meeting up? Are they worth a £10,000 fine, when I don't even pay for drinks? Are we allowed to even date!?
Well, with the recent announcement of the governments roadmap out of lockdown we've put together a Dating Roadmap. What you can do, when you can do it (quite literally) and where.
Currently the only dating we can do is online or exercising outside with one person from another household. Which means our virtual speed dating events are busier than ever and anyone who's going on dates must be fitter than ever. Unless you've been dating each other for a while and you both live alone or meet other criteria, you could be able to bubble up. For more info on household bubbles please visit gov.co.uk.
March 8th
Guidelines: Under government guidelines you will be able to meet one other person from another household outside. You won't need to be exercising like you must be currently. So, a coffee on a park bench or a casual stroll is allowed. However, you must stay local and you will not be able to travel across county lines.
Original Dating: Virtual Speed Dating, Mixeo.
Dating rules: Outside only, one person from another household.
March 29th at the earliest.
Guidelines: From this date you will be able to meet a maximum of 6 people outside and private gardens from 6 different households (rule of 6) or two households of any number of people and the stay local requirement will be lifted but encouraged. If things are going well you could be introducing your friends to bae.
Original Dating: Virtual Speed Dating, Mixeo.
Dating rules: Rule of 6 or two households outside, including private gardens.
April 12th at the earliest.
Guidelines: Pubs will open for outdoor use only and social distancing rule of 6 and two household rule will remain. This means that beer garden dates are back on, come rain or shine!
Original Dating: Virtual Speed Dating, Mixeo.
Dating rules: Rule of 6 or two households outside, with the addition of pub gardens.
May 17th at the earliest.
Guidelines: Pubs can now offer indoor dining but the rule of 6 or two household rule will apply. This means you can bring back the classic candlelit dinner for two. Outside you can now meet in groups of up to, as many as, 30 people. Original Dating can run in-person events both inside and out, in line with the current social distancing rules.
Original Dating: Table for 6, The Curated Quiz, Park Socials, Virtual Speed Dating, Mixeo.
Dating rules: Rule of 6 or two household rule now inside pubs. Social gatherings of up to 30 people outdoors. Sleepovers will be permitted. Wink wink, nudge nudge.
June 21st at the earliest.
Guidelines: All social distancing and restrictions are dropped. Original Dating resume all events; speed dating, lock and key parties, chemistry, quiz dating, and dating against humanity. As well as some new additions!
Original Dating: All in person events including 300+ parties, Virtual Speed Dating, Mixeo. We're back!
Dating rules: All restrictions and social distancing measures dropped.
These dates are all currently in flux and will be determined by contributing factors at that time so keep an eye out on our instagram and other social media pages for our dating roadmap announcements.