Coronavirus: the ‘Rule of Six’ enters into force

Restrictions prohibiting social gatherings of more than six people have gone into effect, following a surge in coronavirus cases.

The ‘rule of six’ applies both indoors and outdoors in England and Scotland, and indoors only in Wales.

The restrictions in England affect everyone, but do not include children under 11 in Wales or under 12 in Scotland.

Some Conservative MPs have urged No. 10 to exempt young children in England as well.

The new rules are introduced as the UK’s R number rises to between 1 and 1.2 for the first time since March, indicating that infections are on the rise.

There were 3,330 more positive cases in the UK on Sunday, the third day in a row that cases exceeded 3,000, and five more deaths were reported.

According to the UK government’s coronavirus dashboard, the total number of reported coronavirus deaths in the UK is 41,628.

Interior Minister Priti Patel urged the public not to break the rules, as police forces promised to enforce them.

Ms Patel said: “Across the country, we have all made enormous sacrifices in the fight against coronavirus. However, the recent surge in cases makes it clear that more needs to be done to stop the spread of this disease.”

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove defended the new measures in England as “absolutely correct” and said that some people had “unknowingly” contributed to the spread of the virus because of the way they had interacted.

“So a clear message, as simple as possible, makes it easier for everyone to do what is useful to others,” Gove said.

At a glance: What are the new rules?

• Social gatherings of more than six people in England, Scotland and Wales it is not allowed by law from Monday, September 14 with some exceptions
• The new rule applies to people in private homes, indoor and outdoorand places like pubs, restaurants, cafes, and public outdoor spaces
• That applies to all ages in England, but not older 12 years or less in Scotland, and those under 11 in Wales
• Rule does not apply to schools and workplaces, or organized weddings, funerals and team sports
• A complete list of exemptions has been published in England
• Persons that ignore the police could be fined £ 100, doubling with each offense up to a maximum of £ 3,200

Under the new rules, larger gatherings are still allowed in gyms, schools, places of worship, weddings and funerals. Educational and work environments are not affected.

The “rule of six” in England replaces the existing ban on gatherings of more than 30 people and the current guidance on allowing two households to meet indoors.

England, Scotland and Wales each have new restrictions.

Groups of more than six can be divided by the police, and group members face fines of £ 100 for a first offense, doubling for each additional offense up to £ 3,200.

Northern Ireland announced on August 24 a limit of six people and two households for indoor gatherings, a reduction from a previous restriction of 10 people from four households.

Delegate nations have powers to set their own coronavirus restrictions, and while UK nations have generally moved in the same direction, they have done so at their own pace during the pandemic.

The Metropolitan Police said it will deploy resources throughout the capital to enforce the strictest restrictions on social gatherings.

But the West Yorkshire Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, warned that staffing is already so limited that relying solely on the police to enforce the new law is unrealistic.

The president of the Council of Chiefs of the National Police, Martin Hewitt, said that preventing the spread of the coronavirus is “a shared effort.”

He said: “Demands on police service are now at levels similar to those before the pandemic, making it vitally important that we all take personal responsibility, stick to limits and prevent the spread of this deadly virus.”

The government said safe Covid marshals will be introduced in city centers to help ensure rules are followed.

But local councils, who would be expected to provide the staff, said they would need full funding.

• THE RULE OF SIX: What’s in the fine print?
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