What are the current rules on social distancing and are they law?
Since the outbreak of coronavirus and the UK first going into lockdown on March 16 2020, the rules have been constantly changing, so it’s understandable if you haven’t always been able to keep up.
This became more confusing when parts of the country started to ease out of lockdown – starting with the pubs reopening on July 4 – whereas other areas had to go back into local lockdown, like Oldham and Leicester.
What’s the latest advice on social distancing, and what is against the law?
Social distancing: what’s against the law and when can you get fined?
Up and down the country, groups of people are disregarding social distancing rules and hosting illegal raves and parties.
West Midlands Police shut down 125 parties and raves in early August – including one of up to 600 people – while officers in Greater Manchester closed two illegal gatherings in Salford and Rochdale.
The Metropolitan Police also revealed that over 500 illegal events were organised across London just in July.
To combat this, new fines of up to £10,000 will be introduced for people hosting raves or unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people.
There are exceptions for specific gatherings, like workplaces and schools, which have a specific set of guidance published by the government.
Addressing their firm stance on punishing those who flout social distance guidance, Home Secretary Priti Patel said she would not allow progress in tackling the virus to be undermined by ‘a small minority of senseless individuals’.
‘These measures send a clear message – if you don’t co-operate with the police and if you put our health at risk, action will follow,’ she added.
Other social distancing rules that have become punishable by law include:
- People over the age of 10 must wear a face covering on public transport, in shops and supermarkets, and in other indoor spaces like museums, with a list of acceptable exemptions.
- Fines for not wearing a mask can start at £100 and can increase dependent on repeat offences up to £3,200.
What’s the latest advice on social distancing?
When it comes to what you should and shouldn’t do as a general guidance from the NHS and the Government, you should not:
- socialise indoors in groups of more than two households (anyone in your support bubble counts as one household) – this includes when dining out or going to the pub
- socialise outdoors in a group of more than six people from different households; gatherings larger than six should only take place if everyone is from exclusively from two households or support bubbles
- interact socially with anyone outside the group you are attending a place with, even if you see other people you know, for example, in a restaurant, community centre or place of worship
- hold or attend celebrations (such as parties) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing and avoid close social interaction – even if they are organised by businesses and venues that are taking steps to follow COVID-19 Secure guidelines
- stay overnight away from your home with members of more than one other household (your support bubble counts as one household).
Where possible you should still try to keep a safe two-metre distance from people, but, where this is not possible, you can keep a one-metre plus distance.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in July previously these rules might change by winter.
He said: ‘We hope by November at the earliest we can continue to make progress in our struggle against the virus.’
‘It may conceivably be possible to move away from social distancing measures.’
MORE: Do you need to wear a face mask in shops and is there a fine if you don’t?
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