Social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England from Monday 14 September, amid a steep rise in Covid-19 cases. The government has said the law change will ban groups larger than six meeting anywhere socially indoors or outdoors.
The change will not apply to schools, workplaces or covid-secure weddings, funerals and organised team sports. Exemptions also include households and support bubbles larger than six people. It will be enforced through a £100 fine if people fail to comply, doubling on each offence up to a maximum of £3,200.
At-a-glance: What are the new rules?
- Social gatherings of more than six people in England will not be allowed in law from Monday 14 September
- The new rule applies to private homes, indoors and outdoors, and places such as bars and cafes
- The rule does not apply to schools and workplaces, or weddings, funerals and organised team sports
- A full list of exemptions is due to be published before the law changes
- People who ignore police could be fined £100 – doubling with each offence to a maximum of £3,200
The change applies to people in England of all ages, and to gatherings indoors and outdoors, in private homes, public outdoor spaces, and venues such as pubs and restaurants.
There are some exceptions to the new rules. Households and support bubbles bigger than six can socialise together – but not with anyone else at the same time – and gatherings can be more than six if it is for work or education purposes.
No 10 said any group of seven or more people gathering anywhere “risks being dispersed by police or fined for non-compliance”.
BBC political correspondent Nick Eardley pointed out that pubs and restaurants would be allowed to have more than six customers inside, but that the groups of six would have to be socially distant from each other.
The rationale behind allowing this, but not allowing larger groups of people inside other people’s homes, is that businesses can only be open if they follow safety and hygiene measures set out by the government, he added.
Downing Street said Mr Johnson held a virtual roundtable with police forces last week, and heard officers wanted clearer rules and enforcement on social contact.
