Rule of six: What Gazette readers said about change in Government's rules on socialising in England

With days to go until the Government’s ‘rule of six’ comes in, we asked Gazette readers what they thought of the new restrictions on how to socialise safely.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that from Monday, September 14 it is illegal to meet in groups of more than six people both indoors and outdoors – with some exceptions.

Exemptions include for school and work, attendance in places of worship and for gatherings such as weddings or funerals held in line with Covid-secure guidelines.

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Households or support bubbles with more than six people are also exempt.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a virtual press conference at Downing Street on September 9. Picgture: Stefan Rousseau- WPA Pool/Getty Images.Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a virtual press conference at Downing Street on September 9. Picgture: Stefan Rousseau- WPA Pool/Getty Images.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a virtual press conference at Downing Street on September 9. Picgture: Stefan Rousseau- WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Here’s how you reacted on the Northumberland Gazette Facebook page:

Jimmy O'Brien: “If everybody kept their distance it wouldn't have come to this. Everyone has to suffer because of the idiotic few. The Government give is all a chance of some kind of normality and yes a small number blew it.”

Lily Oak Hannington: “Either lock down the country fully and completely, or don't bother.”

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Dorothy Rutherford: “Stick to the rules and what the Prime Minister says, but there are a lot of people out there who do not stick to anything and they think they can get away with it. Shame on them thinking of themselves only and passing the virus on to other people.”

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Joan Hunter: “We can go to work, we can go shopping, we can go to the cinema, we can use public transport, all of which carries more risk than having family in our homes.”

David Bland: “There is no change from the guidelines except they can now fine people for breaching the law. I don't see how the police can enforce the fines in private property.”

Tom Jardine: “I don’t know how limiting gatherings to six people is going to make much difference to cases. Perhaps a brief lockdown is needed to curb the cases down.”

Lynne Cairns: “They do what they have to do to protect us.”

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Blacklock Christine: “Seems simple enough to me, some people just like to complicate matters in their own head.”

Kirsty Jobson: “Think it all depends on whether people take notice of it or not! Common sense.”

Charlotte Watson: “No matter what any government does its not going to be good enough or please everyone’s individual circumstances.”

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