The Rule of Six will be reintroduced indoors from today, Monday May 17, as lockdown restrictions ease further.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that step three of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown can continue as scheduled.
Under step three, the restrictions on indoor gatherings will change.
People will be able to meet friends and family indoors, and pubs and restaurants will be able to serve customers indoors.
However, although the rules around indoor socialising are being relaxed, there are still some rules still in place. Here we explain the Rule of Six and how it works in indoor settings.
What is the Rule of Six?
You may already be aware of the Rule of Six, which has been in place for outdoor gatherings since March 29.
Crucially, this same rule will be in place for all indoor gatherings – this includes domestic and hospitals settings.
It means you can meet six people from different households in an indoor setting – or two households of any size.
The rule was broadened to include two households of any size, rather than a blanket ban of groups larger than six, to “provide greater flexibility, recognising the different situations faced by families and individuals,” the government explained.
Children of any are are included in the count, but professional carers do not. Support bubbles count as one household.
This means you can visit someone’s home, as long as there are not more than six people from different households there.
From May 17, you can also stay overnight – but the same Rule of Six applies.
While previously, social distancing rules would be in place for groups meeting up from different households – this will be eased.
It will allow family and friends who aren’t part of the same household to hug each other again for the first time since March 2020.
However, the government say people should use “common sense” when it comes to this and you’re urged to remain cautious and remember that some people are sill more vulnerable than others.
Having the coronavirus vaccine does reduce risk – but does not eliminate it completely.
Wider social distancing rules are still. In place.
Additionally, the limits on outdoor socialising has been increased to allow 30 people to mix.
