UNBELIEVABLE
Families banned from meeting up, neighbours told to spy on each other, care homes fearing second spike, virus test shortages... but don’t worry, the Government says you can still go grouse shooting with 29 chums
GROUSE hunters can still shoot in big groups while the Rule of Six bans the rest of us “mingling” and we are urged to grass up neighbours.
The new laws limiting gatherings in England took effect yesterday following an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases.
And Tory MP Tracey Crouch said the exemption for the elitist bloodsport proved the Government’s “topsy-turvy prioritisation” in tackling the pandemic.
PEOPLE could be encouraged to grass up neighbours for flouting the new Rule of Six on gatherings amid the pandemic clamp down.
Unless, of course, they are in one of the grouse-hunting parties popular with the Tory elite – which is fine.
The exemption for shooting came as ministers refused to rule out a Stasi-style hotline for informers, and drinkers were told they can no longer “mingle” with muckers down the pub.
Tory MP Tracey Crouch said the stance on shooting was a “bonkers” idea that showed “topsy- turvy prioritisation” in tackling Covid-19.
She said: “I’ve had queries about choirs, community bands, addiction therapy groups. And instead we are scrabbling around prioritising shooting animals. It’s bonkers.”
The ban on more than six people gathering is now in force to tackle a surge in Covid cases in recent weeks, with 2,621 new cases yesterday. Policing Minister Kit Malthouse did not rule out a dedicated hotline for dobbing in flouters but suggested the non-emergency 101 number was fine for now.
The new law allows outdoor activities needing a licence, permit or certificate, while organised sports are allowed too. While many will use this to play sports like football, the loophole also covers grouse-shooting and hunting. HuffPost UK reported the Covid-19 committee chaired by Michael Gove was supposed to discuss the issue on Saturday.
But it claimed the session was axed amid concerns ministers could raise objections.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak this summer praised the work grouse shoots can do for moorland. Around 200 jobs in hunting – 20% of our total – are in his North Yorkshire constituency. Shadow Environment Secretary Luke Pollard said: “People are struggling to get tests near their homes. But the Tories are trying to exempt
the bloodsport passions of big donors from regulations. It shows where this Government’s priorities really lie.”
Despite the new rules, large groups enjoyed the sun yesterday. Home Secretary Priti Patel warned flouters they face £100 fines, doubling for repeat offences to a maximum £3,200.
But police have yet to get guidance on enforcing the law, which has a long list of exceptions but bans “mingling” at wider events, including the pub.
Tory MP Simon Hoare said: aid: “Could you loiter? Are you allowed to amble? That is a strange word to use.”
But Labour leader Keir Starmer, in self-isolation n after a household member r had symptoms, backed the e rule. He said: “You need something simple. The Government was slow in February and March to appreciate the problem and we can’t repeat that error.” But he added that ministers must improve Test and Trace. Meanwhile, tensions emerged in an email by the Government’s chief s scientist, Sir Patrick Vallance, in which he claimed he was “told off ” for pushing too hard for a full lockdown in March. A Government spokesman said of shoots: “We have exempted over 30 types of sport, exercise and physical activity. Outdoor activity is safer from a transmission perspective. Safety measures must be taken.”
URGING neighbours to tell on each other for meeting in groups of more than six while up to 30 can gather to blast grouse is a typically Tory policy.
Following the rules is important but Home Office minister Kit Malthouse betrays a nasty side if he wants snoopers to call the police because two grandparents rather than one are sitting with a family of five in their garden.
The “rule of six” in England should be changed to match Wales and Scotland, where children under 12 are excluded.
And ministers from Boris Johnson down need to recognise that the best way to get the public to comply with these measures is for them to understand why they are necessary. They can’t be enforced by Stasi-like threats. Continued failings in the vital Test and Trace system underline the Government’s failure to protect us from the feared second wave.