Boris Johnson has trouble explaining his own coronavirus rules
Boris Johnson has apologised for getting his own Government’s coronavirus rules wrong amid confusion over exactly what people in the North East will be able to do from Wednesday.
The Prime Minister was today asked to clarify the rules for people meeting in pub and restaurant gardens after those living in north east England were told it would be made illegal for households to mix indoors ‘in any setting’.
But Mr Johnson appeared to give mixed messaging when he said: ‘On the rule of six, outside the areas such as the North East where extra measures have been brought in, it’s six inside, six outside.
‘In the North East and other areas where extra-tight measures have been brought in, you should follow the guidance of local authorities, but it is six in a home, six in hospitality but as I understand it, not six outside.’
The statement goes against Government guidance on different households meeting inside homes in the region – which has been against the law for two weeks and could land you with a £200 fine. Labour accused the PM of ‘gross incompetence’ and told his Government to ‘get a grip’.
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Following his appearance at Exeter College Construction Centre – where he announced new fully-funded college courses for adults without A-levels – Mr Johnson took to Twitter to say sorry for his fumbled answer.
He wrote: ‘Apologies, I misspoke today. In the North East, new rules mean you cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs, restaurants and your home. You should also avoid socialising with other households outside.
‘This is vital to control the spread of coronavirus and keep everyone safe. If you are in a high risk area, please continue to follow the guidelines from local authorities.’
Further details are yet to be published about whether more than six people will be allowed to meet outside in north east England from midnight, when stricter rules come in. The PM has since suggested that it will be against the rules.
Mr Johnson’s intervention followed an awkward interview with a Government minister this morning, when Gillian Keegan admitted she did not know if people could meet outside in pubs and restaurants.
Despite the PM’s comments, current Government advice for the region states: ‘You must not… host people you do not live with in your home or garden, unless they’re in your support or childcare bubble… (or) meet people you do not live with in their home or garden, whether inside or outside the affected local areas, unless they’re in your support or childcare bubble.’
The fact that you are not currently allowed to meet different households in your garden might suggest you are unable to meet outside – but that is not made explicitly clear in the guidance, leading to widespread confusion. Other Government advice repeatedly says meeting outside is safer.
Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, said: ‘For the Prime Minister to not understand his own rules is grossly incompetent.
‘These new restrictions are due to come into force across huge parts of the country tonight. The government needs to get a grip.’
Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland will be subject to the new crackdown from midnight tonight, after local restrictions originally came in on September 14.
That guidance does say: ‘If you operate a business or organise events within the affected areas you should take steps to ensure people do not socialise with people they do not live with, in line with Covid-19 secure guidance’ – but does not refer directly to being outside.
Speaking at the press conference in Exeter earlier, the PM admitted that people will feel the rules are ‘confusing’ and that he ‘totally understand people’s feelings’ about the issue.
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