Social gatherings of over six are to be banned from Monday across England. The government’s actions came late last night, following a steep rise in Coronavirus cases across the country. Yorkshire city Leeds faced the highest number of cases in one day since April earlier this week.
The new legal limit bans large gatherings in both indoors and outdoor spaces – however, schools, workplaces, support bubbles, funerals and team sports will be exempt. The new regulations have been made a law, and for those who don’t comply, fines of £100 will be issued. Police will also be given powers to disperse groups of seven or more people.
Here’s the new rules in a nutshell:
- Social gathering of more than six people will not be allowed from Monday
- The law applies to homes, indoors and outdoors, pubs, bars restaurants and cafes
- It does not apply to schools and workplaces, weddings, funerals or team sports
Boris Johnson said of the current events: “We need to act now to stop the virus spreading. So we are simplifying and strengthening the rules on social contact – making them easier to understand and for the police to enforce.”
Matt Hancock spoke just yesterday in Commons regarding the sharp increase in cases, putting the blame on people in their 20’s and 30’s for socialising in the pub, despite the government creating the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme last month and encouraging Brits to spend money to help the economy.
Labour leader Kier Starmer criticised the NHS ‘Track and Trace’ system just yesterday, saying it was on the ‘verge of collapse’ after it was revealed that laboratories have not have the capacity to complete tests for many members of the public for two weeks now.
