Covid 19 - What you need to know - 'Rule of 6' regulations published (England)
2020
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020, which make the ‘Rule of 6’ previously announced by the Prime Minister enforceable law were published online late last night (Sunday 13th September) and came into force at 12:01am this morning. A copy of the new regulations, which are applicable to England only (the other developed nations have their own, simialr rules), can be found here.
From midnight meeting in groups greater than 6 persons or your ‘bubble’ (whichever is greater) are prohibited indoors and outdoors, including in your home.
Persons breaching the new regulations could face a fine of £100 (which doubles for each subsequent infraction up to £3,200).
COVID-19 Secure venues, such as places of worship, restaurants and hospitality venues, can still host larger numbers in total but groups of up to 6 must not mix or form larger groups. Education and work settings are unaffected, and organised team sports will still be able to proceed, as will weddings and funerals up to 30.
It remains the case that organisers and facilitators of larger gatherings of more than 30 people – such as unlicensed music events – can be subject to fines of up to £10,000.
A legal obligation on businesses to collect and retain for 21 days, NHS Test and Trace data will come into force from 18th September. A new app is due to launch the following week (24th September).