Boris Johnson announces new ‘rule of six’ after spike in COVID cases

Turns out encouraging people to go out led to a spike in cases, who'd have thunk it?

Boris Johnson has announced a new "rule of six" following a rise in the number of cases of coronavirus in the UK. The new rule means that social gatherings will be limited to six people. There are some exceptions, though. "For example, if a single household or support bubble is larger than six, then obviously they can still gather," the prime minister said at a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon. “Covid-secure venues like places of worships, gyms, restaurants, hospitality venues can still hold more than six in total. Within those venues, however, there must not be individual groups larger than six and groups must not mix socially or form larger groups. “Education and work settings are unaffected. Covid-secure weddings and funerals can go ahead up to a limit of 30 people and organised sport will still be able to proceed.” The prime minister also confirmed that as of 9am on Wednesday, there had been a further 2,659 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus. Overall, 355,219 cases have been confirmed. Admitting that rules have been complicated and difficult to follow, he said: “This rule of six will of course throw up difficult cases." "For example two whole households will no longer be able to meet if they would together exceed the limit of six people and I’m sorry about that, and I wish that we did not have to take this step. “But as your Prime Minister, I must do what is necessary to stop the spread of the virus and to save lives. And of course we will keep the rule of six under constant review and only keep it in place as long as is necessary. “In future, premises where people meet socially will be legally required to request the contact details of a member of every party, record and retain these details for 21 days and provide them to NHS Test and Trace, without delay, when required.”