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Boris Johnson apologized and said he was “wrong” when asked to clarify the details of the new stricter coronavirus restrictions in northeast England.
A new rule, which makes it illegal for households to mix indoors, including in bars, affects nearly two million people and takes effect at midnight.
However, confusion arose as to whether this included outdoor settings, such as open-air bars.
Labor said the prime minister was “extremely incompetent” for not knowing the rules.
It comes as the UK recorded 7,143 confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, a new record since mass testing began. Deaths recorded within 28 days of a positive test also rose to 71, the highest total since July 1.
- What are the new rules on socialization?
- Northeast households mixing ‘confusing’ ban
Mr. Johnson was asked to clarify the rules after a junior minister was unable to do so.
When asked if people in the Northeast could still meet people from other homes abroad, such as in a pub garden, Johnson said people should follow local guidelines and urged them to use their common sense.
He went on to talk about the separate rule of six.
“In the northeast and other areas where more stringent measures have been adopted, you should follow the guidance of local authorities, but there are six in a house, six in hospitality but, as I understand it, not six outside,” he said. .
On Twitter, Johnson later apologized, clarifying that the new law meant that those in the Northeast “cannot meet people from different households in inland social settings, including pubs, restaurants, and home.”
“You should also avoid socializing with other households outside,” he added.
Earlier, when asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today show if people from affected areas could gather in the pub gardens, Education Minister Gillian Keegan said: “I’m sorry I can’t clarify that.
“I don’t know the answer to that question, but I’m sure they can find the answer.”
When pressed, she said, “I’m sorry I can’t answer that question. I’m sure there are a lot of people who could. I don’t represent the Northeast.”
‘Complexity is becoming a real risk’
One of the key requirements of public health messages is to create a clear picture of the steps people are expected to take.
This was easier during the spring’s total lockdown than now, when the desire to keep the society open means that guidance needs to be further nuanced and adapted.
The return has meant that each part of the UK is free to come up with its own versions of what should be done.
On top of that, there are the additional restrictions imposed in local areas with high infection rates.
Understandably, they are tailored to local circumstances and therefore vary from place to place.
But the more complicated and intricate the rules become, the more likely the audience is to simply tune out.
The advisers have already warned ministers publicly and privately that this is becoming a real risk along with the problems of enforcing the rules in the first place.
But, as with so many things with the pandemic, the problem is easy to identify, the solution not so much.
People who violate the new law prohibiting households from mixing indoors in North East England, including in bars, will be fined.
Mixing with other homes in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant spaces won’t be illegal, but it goes against advice, the Department of Health and Social Care has said.
In areas that are not covered by additional restrictions in England, the rule of six, which means that social gatherings are limited to six people, applies in private homes, indoors and outdoors, and places like pubs, restaurants, cafes and outdoor public spaces.
Labor Vice Leader Angela Rayner said the government “needs to control itself” and said: “These new restrictions will take effect tonight in large parts of the country.”
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Approximately two million people in Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland and the Durham County Council area have already been advised to avoid mixing.
But the new rules go into effect from Wednesday.
For those over 18, it will be £ 200 for the first offense but will be cut in half if paid within 14 days.
A second offense will incur a fine of £ 400, which will then be doubled for each subsequent offense, up to a maximum of £ 6,400.
’24 hours of chaos’
Hotel business owners in the Northeast said banning households from gathering indoors would hurt an industry already in “survival mode.”
Ollie Vaulkard, who runs bars and restaurants in Tyneside and Northumberland, said he decided to close all his venues after the new restrictions were announced. “We think we would be losing money by opening our doors every day,” he said.
Newcastle Council leader Nick Forbes told the BBC that the messages about the new restrictions had been “incredibly incompetent”.
“Frankly, it sends the message that they just don’t know what they’re doing, they’re making it up on the fly,” he said. “We have had 24 hours of chaos, of confusion that was completely avoidable.”
Forbes said it had not yet seen a final list of regulations and affected facilities.
He said he was telling affected people in the Northeast “let’s move on” and “ignore the mess the PMs have made of this.”
Gateshead Council Leader Martin Gannon said the rules were “necessary” but said the local authority had been “flooded” by people asking for details after the “chaotic” announcement.
The prime minister is scheduled to hold a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to update the public on the coronavirus crisis, but Downing Street said he did not intend to give a “specific set of new announcements.”
Johnson is expected to be joined by England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and Senior Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance.
