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Police, photographed here in Edinburgh in June, can now divide groups of more than six
People should speak to those who are breaking the six-limit rule at social gatherings before reporting them to the police, the prime minister said.
In an interview with the Sun, Boris Johnson said that he “had never been very pro-sneaky, myself.”
It comes after Surveillance Minister Kit Malthouse asked people to inform neighbors that they were breaking coronavirus rules.
The new measures went into effect in England, Scotland and Wales this week.
Speaking to The Sun, Johnson said: “What people should do in the first place is obviously if they are concerned is to raise it with their friends and neighbors.
“But I think what is reasonable for anyone to do is if they believe that there is a serious threat to public health as a result of the activities of their neighbors, if there is a large Animal House party, as I’m sure, hot bathtubs and so on, and there is a serious threat to public health, so it is reasonable that the authorities know. “
The prime minister was referring to the 1978 film National Lampoon’s Animal House, which featured a large toga party.
The new measures prohibit social gatherings of more than six people, but they vary in different nations; for example, in England and Scotland, the law applies both indoors and outdoors, but indoors in Wales.
It applies to all ages in England, but not to those under 12 in Scotland and not under 11 in Wales in those households.
Police have the power to divide groups of more than six and people who ignore officers could be fined £ 100, doubling with each offense to a maximum of £ 3,200.
- What are the rules?
- Cases in the UK increased by 3,991 on Wednesday
Johnson’s comments differ from what his conservative colleagues have previously said.
Earlier this week, Interior Minister Priti Patel was asked if she would alert police to her neighbors if they broke the rules, responding: “I don’t spend my time looking at people’s gardens.”
But pressing further on the issue in the BBC Radio 4 Today interview, he said: “I think anyone would want to take responsibility and make sure that we are not spreading this terrible disease and therefore if I see gatherings of more than six people, he clearly would. ” report that. “
He also said that families who stopped to chat on the street were considered “mixed” and would also be breaking the rules.
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Meanwhile, Malthouse said the public should call the non-emergency number 101 and report suspected lawbreakers.
Asked if a person should report a gathering of seven or more people in a neighbor’s yard, he said: “It is open to neighbors to do exactly that via the non-emergency number.
“And if they’re worried and they see that kind of thing, then they should think about it.”
Also earlier this week, the president of the Police Federation, which represents grassroots officers in England and Wales, asked for guidance on how to enforce the measures.
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British transport police officers have been patrolling subway cars to check that people are wearing masks
On Wednesday, the government announced another 3,991 new cases.
Tighter lockdown restrictions are expected to be introduced in northeast England in the coming days, but Johnson has told MPs that the government would do “everything in our power” to prevent a second national shutdown.
- Read what Johnson said about the second lockdown
- More on Northeast England
Johnson also addressed the lockdown in his interview with the Sun, saying: “The only way to make sure the country can enjoy Christmas is to be tough now.”
He said ministers will “look” for the possibility of telling pubs and restaurants to close earlier.
People must be “confident and cautious,” he added.
There are several local access points in the UK that have seen an increase in cases since the national lockdown ended.
Parts of North West England, the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Leicester, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are currently under local lockdown.
Public Health England also produces a weekly watchlist of areas of interest.
