Measures planned by the government have caused an adverse reaction among politicians and commentators online, as they pointed out some inconsistencies in the authorities’ approach to tackling the spread of Covid-19.
While social gatherings of more than six people will be banned - pubs and restaurants will be exempt from the rule, as long as customers in groups of 6 will maintain social distancing. Also, the new law will not apply to schools, workplaces or Covid-secure weddings, funerals and organised team sports. The new rules have been described as “totally nonsensical” online, among other remarks.
So @BorisJohnson is criminalising social gatherings of more than 6 people while pubs/restaurants/schools (rightly) remain open. These rules are totally nonsensical and will be widely ignored.
— Isabel Oakeshott (@IsabelOakeshott) September 8, 2020
Corona knows the difference between social gatherings of more than 6 and school/work environments. Be safe tho
— Joey Blacc (@JoeySYM69) September 8, 2020
Absolutely ludicrous lockdown madness. COVID deaths/hospitalisations at consistent, declining lows, yet here we are again 😩
— Martin Daubney (@MartinDaubney) September 8, 2020
Coronavirus: Social gatherings of more than six people to be banned in England from Mondayhttps://t.co/uBb7UXm4m4 pic.twitter.com/DfiRSGuqOa
Some remain confused as to what the new measures mean in practice and whether the ban applies to their place of work.
If social gatherings of more than six are banned as of Monday, but not in workplaces, then can theatres open again or not? Cause I mean that’s my workplace
— Philosophy Tube (@PhilosophyTube) September 9, 2020
Yesterday evening the Government announced that social gatherings over 6 people are to be banned in England from the 14th September. We are still awaiting guidance on what this means for the activities of our student groups.
— Kate Roberts (she/her) (@RHSUPresident) September 9, 2020
It is not the first time the UK government has delivered a confusing message to the public. In May, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered a speech on easing the lockdown measures in place at the time, and was subsequently mocked online for failing to coherently inform Brits on the new rules.
— MATT LUCAS (@RealMattLucas) May 10, 2020
Those who don’t adhere to the new government guideline will face a £100 fine, doubling on each offence up to a maximum of £3,200. Downing Street is expected to clarify the details of the new measures later on Wednesday.
According to UK official data, the current number of daily Covid-19 cases is 2,460, while the number for the daily death rate is 32.
