Rule of six: Coronavirus restrictions explained for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

A new "rule of six" restriction is being implemented in much of the UK but restrictions are different depending on which country you live in.

The rules - designed to slow the spread of coronavirus - are being enforced in England, Wales and Scotland from Monday.

With divergence between each UK nation causing confusion, here's an explanation of how the rules work wherever you are:

England

From Monday, gatherings of more than six people will be illegal, as Boris Johnson announced in his recent Downing Street press conference,

The rules will apply across England to all ages and in any setting either indoors and outdoors, at home or a pub.

A single household or support bubble that is larger than six will still be able to gather.

Covid-secure venues like places of worship, gyms, restaurants and hospitality settings can still hold more than six in total.

Education and work settings are not affected by the new rules.

Weddings and funerals can still go ahead with a limit of 30 people if conducted in a Covid-secure way.

Wales

People in Wales will only be able to meet in groups of six or under indoors and must all belong to the same extended household group.

Up to four households are able to join together to form an extended household.

But, unlike in England, children under 11 will be exempt and will not count towards that total.


Also unlike in England, people will also still be able to meet up in groups of up to 30 outdoors, as long as social distancing is maintained.

The changes will not apply in Caerphilly county borough due to its rise in Covid-19 cases.

Scotland

A maximum of six people from two households will be allowed to meet together in Scotland.

Just like in England, the new limit applies when people meet in restaurants, pubs and beer gardens, as well as in homes.

However, children under the age of 12, who are part of the two households meeting will not count towards the limit of six people, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Nicola Sturgeon has followed Westminster in restricting gatherings to no more than six people Credit: handout/PA

There will be “some limited exceptions”, covering organised sports and places of worship.

Up to 20 people will be able to attend weddings, civil partnerships and funerals, as well as receptions and wakes, which is more stringent than both England and Wales.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the number of people who can gather indoors in a private home was already reduced from 10 people from four households to six people from two households last month due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Up to 15 people can meet outdoors.