Confusing coronavirus ‘rule of six’ small print may mean you CAN have more people over if your children are asleep
CONFUSING coronavirus ‘rule of six’ small print suggests you can have more people over if your children are ASLEEP.
Human rights barrister Adam Wagner claimed kids cannot be counted as part of a group under the new rules if parents are socialising while they are in bed.
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Mr Wagner, a visiting law professor at Goldsmiths University, made the point on Twitter when someone asked if sleeping youngsters count as part of a “gathering” downstairs at their home.
He replied: “A few people are asking this. If you look at the definition of gathering it requires some form of intentional engagement in social or other activity together.
“Sleeping children aren't doing that. I don't see how they count in the 'gathering' if they are upstairs asleep.”
I don't see how they count in the 'gathering' if they are upstairs asleep.
Adam Wagner
The lawyer pulled up the government’s perplexing definition of "gathering" in his tweet.
It reads: “There is a gathering when two or more people are present together in the same place in order to engage in any form of social interaction with each other, or to undertake any other activity with each other.”
It adds that a place is “indoors if it would be considered to be enclosed or substantially enclosed.”
However, this is just Mr Wagner's interpretation of the rules and you could still face a hefty government fine if you follow it.
PLAYING BY THE RULES
According to the guidelines, which have been enforced officially today, only six people can meet at anyone time in any indoor or outdoor social setting.
This includes situations where there are only two households meeting.
The total number includes children, so if there is a household of five with three kids and two parents, they will only be able to meet up with one other person.
It means big family gatherings won't be able to take place if the total number exceeds six people.
You can't gather in a group of more than six. This will now be rigorously enforced by the police.
Matt Hancock
The rule of six applies to all people of all ages - including babies.
There are a few exemptions to the rule - including in schools, workplaces and Covid-secure weddings.
Those in households and support bubbles with more than six people are also exempt.
The government has made a string of exemptions for sports clubs and political protests.
Among the events given a free pass is grouse hunting - with shooting groups of between six and 30 people allowed because they are covered by a loophole that permits licensed “outdoor activity”, the reports.
RULE BREAKERS
If you are caught breaking the new rules the fines start at £100 but rise to as much as £3,200 if people break the rules multiple times.
People who organise illegal street parties face even higher penalties of up to £10,000.
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Matt Hancock said: "The feedback from police was that we needed the rules to be super simple, so everybody knows what they are.
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"You can't gather in a group of more than six.
"This will now be rigorously enforced by the police."
