The new "rule of six" came into force today (September 14) and it prohibits people meeting in a group of more than six.
Police are expected to enforce the law - which makes it illegal to "mingle" as a gathering of six or more people both indoors and outdoors.
Those who break the rules can be dispersed by police and issued with a fine - which start at £100 and will double for each further offence up to £3,200.
“The regulations are in place to help to stop the spread of the virus, to protect the NHS and to ultimately save lives," said the Prime Minister's official spokesperson on Monday.
However like always, there are some exceptions to the coronavirus lockdown rule, which applies across England.
If you live in a household with more than six people, you of course you can continue to gather in and attend all settings together.
This also applies for support bubbles.
All venues should continue to accommodate groups larger than six who live together or are in the same support bubble to gather in and use their services and venues.
But there are exceptions aside from large households and support bubbles where groups can be larger than six people.
The 14 reasons why include:
- for work, or the provision of voluntary or charitable services
- registered childcare, education or training
- supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups
- providing support to a vulnerable person
- providing emergency assistance, and to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm
- to continue existing arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents
- fulfilling a legal obligation such as attending court or jury service
- weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions – up to 30 people, in a public place
- funerals – up to 30 people. This does not include wakes, other than for religious ceremonial purposes.
- other religious and belief-based life cycle ceremonies – up to 30 people, in a public place. This only covers the ceremonies, and does not include celebrations of these events.
- organised sport or exercises classes or licensed outdoor physical activity. This does not include informal sport or fitness activity with family or friends – this must be limited to a group of 6.
- elite sporting competition and training
- support groups – formally organised groups to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support. This includes support to victims of crime, recovering addicts, new parents, people with long-term illnesses, those facing issues relating to their sexuality or gender, and those who have suffered bereavement.
- protests – if organised in compliance with COVID-19 Secure guidance
Where a group includes someone covered by one of these exemptions, they are not counted as part of the gatherings limit.
This means, for example, that a tradesperson can go into a household of six without breaching the limit if they are there for work.
