The new ‘Rule of 6’ Law has been introduced today, but what can we and can’t we do?

With the rise of daily COVID-19 cases continuing to increase in the UK, the rule of 6 is the government’s latest effort to limit the number of people from different social bubbles interacting in hopes of decreasing new positive cases – the country is currently at more than 3,000 cases per day.

The new rule can be enforced on the general public by law with the potential to face a criminal record if charged by police. The rule is to be applied to any setting whether it be indoors or outdoors.

If found in a group of more than six, you could be slapped with a £100 fine which will increase to £3200 if further breaches are committed. Anyone caught hosting a gathering of over 30+ people will face a fine of up to £10,000.

Stricter measures will be put in place in areas with the highest cases including Bolton, which has the highest number of COVID cases in the country, where businesses and venues must be closed from 10pm to 5am.

Bowling alleys, casinos and skating rinks which opened last month in parts of Greater Manchester will remain closed. 

The government has also listed a number of exceptions to the Rule of Six.

These include:

  • Where everyone lives together or is in the same support bubble, or to continue existing arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents.
  • Work, and voluntary or charitable services.
  • Education, training, or registered childcare.
  • Fulfilling legal obligations such as attending court or jury service.
  • Providing emergency assistance, or providing support to a vulnerable person.
  • For you or someone else to avoid illness, injury or harm.
  • Participate in children’s playgroups.
  • Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions, or for other religious life-cycle ceremonies – where up to 30 people will be able to attend.
  • Funerals – where up to 30 people will be able to attend.
  • Organised indoor and outdoor sports, physical activity and exercise classes (see the list of recreational team sports, outdoor sport and exercise allowed under the gyms and leisure centre guidance.
  • Youth groups or activities.
  • Elite sporting competition or training.
  • Protests and political activities organised in compliance with Covid-19 secure guidance and subject to strict risk assessments.