BORIS Johnson has said the Government is taking “decisive measures” to tackle rising coronavirus cases by banning social gatherings of more than six people with a new "Rule of Six".

The Prime Minister insisted that the new rules – which will come into force in England on Monday – would “keep our economy going, keep our schools open, and keep this virus under control”.

What is the Rule of Six?

The PM says it's as it sounds: You must not "meet socially" in groups of more than six.

He said if people do "You will be breaking the law.”

Mr Johnson said:“This will apply in any setting, indoors or outdoors, at home or in the pub.

“The ban will be set out in law and it will be enforced by the police – anyone breaking the rules risks being dispersed, fined and possibly arrested.

“This single measure replaces both the existing ban on gatherings of more than 30 and the current guidance on allowing two households to meet indoors. Now you only need to remember the rule of six.”

He added: “I know that over time the rules have become quite complicated and confusing.

“We are responding, and we are simplifying and strengthening the rules, making them easier for everyone to understand.”

Will there be exemptions?

Yes.

Mr Johnson added that there will be some exemptions to the “rule of six”.

Mr Johnson said: “There will be some limited exemptions. For example, if a single household or support bubble is larger than six, then obviously they can still gather.

“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.”

What else did the PM say?

Boris Johnson said he is “sorry” that two whole households will no longer be able to meet if their total exceeds six people.

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.”

Mr Johnson said that he has tasked the Cabinet with increasing enforcement of the rules, adding: “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.”

What did other people say at the briefing?

The chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, has said the numbers of coronavirus case have been increasing “much more rapidly” over the past few days.

He told a Downing Street news conference that while the numbers among older people and children remained “flat”, in other age groups there were “rapid upticks”.

He said among 17 to 18 year-olds and 19 to 21 year-olds the numbers had gone up “really quite steeply” since mid August.

He said that data suggested that without action Britain would be on a path “extremely similar” to France where the numbers had continued to rise.

However in Belgium the authorities took “decisive action” which led to the rates stabilising and then falling.

“This is clear indication that if you act rapidly and decisively there is a good chance of bringing rates back down under control,” he said.

He added that the Government’s policy on schools may have to be “looked at again” if infections among school aged children rise.

Answering a question from a member of the public on infections in schools, Prof Whitty said: “Well the only thing I’d add Prime Minister is if, at the moment rates are still very low, if there were to be a change in that, there were to be a much broader increase in rates including of school age children, I think the current policies would have to be looked at again as in the other areas.

“But at this point, the rates in schools are very low. There will be some school outbreaks, but that is the current situation.”