Social gatherings above six banned from 14 September

The Government has announced that from Monday (14 September), social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England.

The new rules mean it will be against the law to meet up with a group of more than six people – indoors or outdoors – if you don’t live with them (from multiple households).

This is due to a rise in coronavirus cases across the country. It is hoped these new measures will help prevent a second peak and reduce the spread of the virus.

There are some exceptions where social gatherings of more than six people will be allowed, including:

• where everyone lives together or is in the same support bubble
• for work or education purposes
• weddings and funerals – where up to 30 people will be able to attend
• organised indoor and outdoor team sports

The advice, even when socialising with six people or fewer, is to still:

• stay two metres apart from people you don’t live with, where possible
• wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds
• wear a face covering on public transport and in indoor settings, where social distancing may be difficult.

The police will have the power to enforce a limit on numbers and can issue fines of £100, doubling for further breaches up to a maximum of £3,200, if people fail to comply.

Find further guidance on meeting with others safely (social distancing) on GOV.UK.