Everything you can and can’t do in Greater Manchester from today under the new rules

New coronavirus restrictions come into effect from today and they are now enforceable by law. 

From today, September 14th, people in England ‘must not meet socially in groups of more than six’. 

The new rule, described by Boris Johnson as ‘rule of six’, is an attempt to reduce the number of coronavirus infections. 

The new rules are also now enforceable by law and ‘apply in any setting, indoors or outdoors, at home or in the pub’.  

If found by the police breaking the rules, individuals can be fined £100 and possibly arrested. 

Mr Johnson said: “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.”

In the areas of England that do not have local restrictions, such as those in place across Greater Manchester, the rules state you that you can meet with friends and family you do not live with if you follow social distancing rules, limit how many different people you see over a short period of time and meet in outdoor areas where practical.

This means that from today you cannot meet in groups bigger than six indoors or outdoors – unless you are one household or a support bubble. 

The fine begins at £100 and can be doubled for each additional breach up to a maximum of £3,200. Organisers of gatherings of more than 30 people face larger fines of £10,000.

Those living in Greater Manchester – excluding Stockport and Wigan – have separate lockdown restrictions.

The rules in Greater Manchester, including Manchester, Trafford, Bury, Tameside, Rochdale and Salford, ban the mixings of two households in homes or gardens which overrides the new legislation regarding meeting indoors or in private gardens. 

Meeting people outside homes in these areas, such as in parks or beer gardens, is allowed if the groups consist of no more than two households or six people and all people abide by social distancing measures.

Six friends from different households can meet in a beer garden however two families of four cannot meet in a park. 

There are tighter restrictions in place in Bolton where the coronavirus infection rate is the highest in the country. There is a local curfew which closes hospitality businesses from 10pm to 5am currently in place and venues including pubs and restaurants are now limited to takeaway services only. 

In Bolton and Oldham, people cannot meet anyone from outside their household in their home or garden or socialise with people from outside their household in public whether indoors or outdoors. 

The government is also advising the public to not share a vehicle with those outside of your household or social bubble. 

The government guidance adds: “In all cases, people from different households should ensure they socially distance as much as possible.

“It remains the case that you do not need to maintain social distancing with those in your support bubble.”

For more information on the local restrictions, see here.