New measures to suppress the virus and keep the number of infections down – ‘The Rule of 6‘ announced.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a statement this week, on new measures to suppress the virus and keep the number of infections down.

What has changed for businesses in England:

From Monday 14 September, you must not meet with people from other households socially in groups of more than six.

This will apply indoors and outdoors. COVID-19 Secure venues, such as restaurants and hospitality venues, can still host larger numbers in total but groups of up to 6 must not mix or form larger groups.

Education and work settings are unaffected, and organised team sports will still be able to proceed, as will weddings and funerals up to 30.

Businesses will have a clear duty to support NHS Test and Trace.

From 18 September, it will be mandatory for certain businesses to have a system to collect NHS Test and Trace data, and keep this for 21 days.

Core COVID-19 Secure requirements will be mandated for hospitality businesses, and egregious breaches enforced.

The Government will support Local Authorities and police forces to respond to breaches of COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

Simplified COVID-19 Secure guidance is available here.  

The Government will review plans to pilot larger audiences in venues this month.

Planned sports pilot events will be limited to smaller, safer numbers, with strict conditions to ensure social distancing, and will not take place in areas where incidence is high. They will review their intention to return audiences to stadia and conference centres from 1 October.

The Government will restrict the opening hours of premises, initially in local lock-down areas, with the option of national action in the future.

This has been introduced in Bolton, following a steep rise in cases, and will seek to restrict activities that may lead to a spread in the virus.

These measures apply to England – but there may be different rules if you operate in an area under local lockdown and you should check those rules here. 

The Government’s message of HANDS, FACE and SPACE is clearly outlined in their video below.