‘Rule of six’ to reduce group sizes

New coronavirus restrictions come into law across Scotland this week limiting the number of people you can meet with.

The so-called“rule of six”has been introduced by both the Scottish and UK governments.

But what does this mean for people in Lanarkshire after further restrictions were introduced on Friday, following an increase in cases over recent weeks?

The rule to remember is that you should not be meeting in groups of more than six people from two different households.

Nationally, this limit applies in almost every setting but it’s slightly different with the additional restrictions in Lanarkshire.

Here, you should not host people from any other households in your home or visit people you do not live with in their home, unless they are in your extended household.

There are some exceptions – children under 12 aren’t included in the limit of six people and the limits don’t apply where there is already other guidance in place such as at school, places of worship or for organised sporting events.

If your household includes more than six people, there’s also an exemption there.

However, if you’re going to meet anyone at a pub or restaurant, the limit of six people from two households applies.

Unlike the restrictions on meeting people in your or their home, this limit does apply in Lanarkshire.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:“It is important we don’t lose sight of the objective to keep infection levels as low as possible.

“It is not a virus anyone should be relaxed about getting.

“I know that after six long, hard months we are still asking the public to make a lot of difficult sacrifices.

“That is unavoidable, given the nature of the challenge we face.

“However, I want to be clear that while we still face a battle to get and keep Covid under control, we are in a stronger position than earlier in the year.”

Children under 12 from within the two households will not be counted in the new limit of six people.

The restrictions do not apply where there is other sector specific guidance in force, for example for gyms, for childcare or for organised sports, and there will be some other limited exceptions for larger households, education, and places of worship. It does, however, apply to hospitality.

Along with these new measures, the First Minister also confirmed that Scotland will not move out of its current Phase 3 status.

As a result of a rise in coronavirus infections, route map changes that had been given a conditional, indicative start date of Monday – conditional on progress against the epidemic – have now been given the new indicative date of Monday, October 5. A final decision will be taken nearer the time on confirming this new indicative date.

Measures announced are:

■ Group gatherings will only be allowed to a maximum of six people from two households in both indoor and outdoor settings, with limited exemptions (becoming law from Monday.

Face coverings must be worn in hospitality settings, apart from during the service of food and drink, with hospitality staff following the similar rules as retail staff.

■ Up to 20 people will still be able to attend funerals, weddings and civil partnerships ceremonies, with the limit permitted for wakes and receptions rising to 20 in line with this, as long as they take place in regulated venues like hotels with strict guidance in place.

■ Route map moves expected from Monday given a new indicative date of Monday, October 5.