DfE update on new ‘rule of 6’

Please find below the latest update from the Department of Education regarding out-of-school settings and the new limit on gatherings.

From 14 September – when the new rules apply – it will be against the law to meet people you do not live with in a group larger than 6 (unless you are meeting as a household or support bubble). The police will have the powers to enforce these legal limits, including to issue fines (fixed penalty notice) of £100, doubling for further breaches up to a maximum of £3,200.

There will be exceptions where groups can be larger than 6 people, including:

• 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
• for work, and voluntary or charitable services
• for education, training, registered childcare, or providers offering before or after-school clubs for children
• 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

More information can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing