As we have all adjusted to life under the coronavirus pandemic, we might feel that we are starting to get to grips with the ‘new normal’. Depending on which country you live in, the advice may differ, and you should always follow the latest government advice when leaving home.
If you’ve been getting to know someone online, and if local restrictions allow, you might want to meet in person.
A natural next step can be to set up a virtual video date. This can be a helpful way to build confidence and rapport before meeting in real life. If you haven’t tried it yet, we’ve put together a quick guide on how to use Video Chat.
Have the COVID chat
Before meeting up in person, find the time to chat in advance about safety and boundaries.
Be open and honest with each other about your own situation and what kind of dates you’re comfortable with.
You may decide to share your vaccination status or make an agreement to both have a lateral flow test before you meet. It’s important to check that you’re both on the same page before planning a date.
Choose where to meet
If you’re both happy to meet in person (and you’re not breaking any local laws or guidelines), agree on a place that you’re both comfortable with.
You might decide to meet in an outdoor venue or perhaps an indoor spot that is big, spacious, and airy.
Don’t feel pressured into pushing your own boundaries just to please your date. And, of course, respect their boundaries as well. Don’t feel obliged to go on a date if you don’t feel safe.
During and after the date
Don’t forget to follow our safety advice for meeting up. In addition, there are now extra considerations when it comes to any physical contact.
Ask how your date feels about social distancing, and be aware that any kind of physical contact could be high-risk, whether it’s a hug, holding hands or something more.
During this pandemic, your personal choices also affect your family or colleagues. So think about who else you might put at risk if you get sick.
If you test positive for Covid or start experiencing symptoms within a few days, please let the other person know.
Alternatives to meeting in-person
If you are not yet ready to meet face to face, there are still other ways to connect with people.
We’ve written 4 new ways to connect on Christian Connection. Or take a look at our advice on how to make virtual connections whilst at a distance. If you need some motivation to get back into the dating game, read 7 ways to make dating exciting again.
Remember to always follow our date-safe advice, even when connecting online.
Stay safe. Stay connected.
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