The party's over: Gatherings of more than six people to be banned

8 September 2020, 23:03 | Updated: 9 September 2020, 13:32

Boris Johnson announced a crackdown on gatherings
Boris Johnson announced a crackdown on gatherings. Picture: PA

By Megan White

Gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England from Monday as the Government seeks to curb the rise in coronavirus cases.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce the change in the law on Wednesday after the number of daily positive Covid-19 cases in the UK rose to almost 3,000.

The legal limit on social gatherings will be reduced from 30 people to six, and will apply to gatherings indoors and outdoors - including private homes, as well as parks, pubs and restaurants.

Read more: New coronavirus restrictions imposed on Bolton, Health Secretary announces

Read more: Brits told to maintain Covid-19 safety rules after rise in cases

Gatherings of more than six people will be allowed where the household or support bubble is larger than six, or where the gathering is for work or education purposes.

Matt Hancock speaks to LBC's Nick Ferrari

Exemptions will also apply for weddings, funerals and organised team sports in a Covid-secure way.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told LBC this morning: "The goal is that we get this rise under control so that we can have the sort of Christmas everyone wants to see."

Parents confused for kids as gatherings of more than six people to be banned

He said he was "absolutely" expecting students to limit themselves to parties of six during freshers week, saying: "Obviously it is not something I would want to do, but unfortunately, yes, because otherwise we know the spread of the disease is going to keep going up and up.

"We know that that leads to more people in hospital and more people dying."

Professor Robert West, Professor of Health Psychology at University College London, told LBC: “We are in a particularly risky situation at the moment because we are in what looks like the early stages of an exponential rise and we saw what happened last time and we’ve got to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

New coronavirus restrictions will place 'intolerable pressure'

Mr Johnson is expected to tell a press conference on Wednesday: "We need to act now to stop the virus spreading. So we are simplifying and strengthening the rules on social contact - making them easier to understand and for the police to enforce.

"It is absolutely critical that people now abide by these rules and remember the basics - washing your hands, covering your face, keeping space from others, and getting a test if you have symptoms."

Downing Street said chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and the Government had jointly agreed that urgent action was needed after the rise in coronavirus cases.

Deputy chief medical officer: Rising coronavirus cases are a concern

Some 2,420 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus were recorded in Britain as of 9am on Tuesday, following the 2,988 reported in the UK on Sunday, which was the largest daily figure since May.

The Government hopes that the change to the law will make it easier for the police to identify and disperse illegal gatherings.

Failure to comply could result in a £100 fine, which will double on each repeat offence up to £3,200.

Matt Hancock urges young people to take social distancing more seriously

Number 10 said Mr Johnson held a virtual roundtable with police forces last week where officers expressed their desire for rules on social contact to be simplified.

The Police Federation of England and Wales urged the Government to "play its part" through a public information campaign after "so many changes in legislation".

The association's national chairman John Apter said: "With the increase in confirmed Covid cases, it's no surprise the Government has made this announcement.

"For policing, these constant changes to legislation are becoming the norm. The pressures on policing have increased significantly over recent months and this latest change will add to this pressure.

Listen & subscribe: Global Player | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

"My colleagues will support the public through what is going to be a very difficult time. At all times they will also remind people that a breach of these regulations means breaking the law.

"However, the Government needs to play its part. With so many changes in legislation, an effective public information campaign must be a priority - as there's been so much confusion for the public and many people don't know exactly what the law says.

"We would urge the public to do the right thing and comply with the new rules, to help protect each other and prevent the further spread of this deadly virus."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Rescuers searching through rubble

Paramedics among the 16 killed by Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon

A man is seen with a huge zombie knife on a train towards Beckenham Junction on Wednesday afternoon

Lawless London: Manhunt continues for knifeman who stabbed train passenger - as two more injured in Tube station attack

Exclusive
The first gay couple to marry in the UK has expressed "outrage" at the Rwanda Bill

First gay couple to marry in UK ten years ago say government should do more to protect LGBTQ+ asylum seekers

Soldiers in giant fuel tank

US military drains giant wartime fuel tanks which had poisoned water supply

Paul O'Grady and his husband Andre Portasio

Paul O'Grady's husband opens up on TV star's final day and fight to save him as beloved dog nuzzled his neck

Sam Bankman-Fried

FTX founder Bankman-Fried facing decades in prison for crypto fraud

Exclusive
Brits travelling to the EU will need to have their fingerprints taken

'UK not ready and won't be' for new EU passport checks at borders, warns head of trade body

Aiden Minnis (left) and Ben Stimson (right) joined the Russian military

British traitor fighting for Russia in Ukraine says he is 'prepared to die' for Putin after family 'disowns him'

Austria Navalny

Portraits of Alexei Navalny unveiled next to Soviet soldier monument in Vienna

Hawaii Wildfire

Hawaii fire survivors moving into housing but 3,000 still in hotels

King Charles recorded the Easter message earlier this month.

King Charles stresses ‘importance of friendship in times of need’ in Easter message as royals face double cancer battle

Trump Investigations Eastman

Judge says former Trump lawyer should be debarred

A man is seen with a huge zombie knife on a train towards Beckenham Junction on Wednesday afternoon

Man fighting for life after being stabbed by attacker with zombie knife on train in front of horrified passengers

Rishi Sunak's inner circle has reportedly urged him to call a summer election.

Rishi Sunak urged to hold summer election as aides fear he 'cannot hold on until autumn' amid Tory rebel plot

George Gilbey's mum is 'devastated' following the death of her son.

Gogglebox star George Gilbey’s mum left ‘in bits’ after son’s sudden death aged 40

The cargo ship Dali stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge in Baltimore

Baltimore bridge collapse: Divers recover two bodies from water