A fun, normal activity for all the family
As Boris Johnson’s ‘Rule of Six’ tightening of Covid restrictions comes into play, it has emerged that there is one unlikely activity in particular that you can still have up to 30 people meet for.
And that is grouse hunting and shooting.
Which is something most of you do on a regular basis, right?
Because hunting with guns is classed as a licenced "outdoor activity" it is exempt from the new rule. The new restrictions limit social gatherings to just six people, but there are however exceptions for events including weddings, funerals and organised sports.
The current restrictions listed on
the gov.uk website says that “organised sport or exercises classes or licensed outdoor physical activity [are exempt]. This does not include informal sport or fitness activity with family or friends - this must be limited to a group of six."
HuffPostUK has reported that the Cabinet Office’s Covid-19 Operations ministerial committee was due to have a meeting on Saturday, with an agenda item titled: “Exemption: hunting and shooting.”
The meeting however was cancelled shortly before it was due to take place.
HuffPostUK also report that insiders say that the meeting was cancelled to avoid objects being raised, and that the term “outdoor activity” was added to allow for grouse and pheasant shooting and hunting to be permitted.
The new social distancing restrictions came into force on Monday in England.
Other exceptions include if your household or support bubble is over six people, as well as workplaces, schools, children's play groups and youth clubs.
You can play organised sport in a group of more than six if a governing body has published safety guidelines - so Sunday League football matches can go ahead, but an informal kickabout in the park must be limited to six people or less.
