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

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.

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

Here’s how you reacted on the Sunderland Echo Facebook page:

Vivienne Young: “The Government did say that they may have to shut down pubs so that schools could reopen without an increase in cases, instead they shut down families.”

Barry Marshall: “We all know why it's being imposed so let's all comply and see what happens. It's never been difficult to understand from day one.”

Sharon Mustard: “It’s not rocket science, people have to take responsibility for their own actions! Unfortunately the flower of common sense doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden!”

Sarah Gardiner: “I don’t find this confusing at all. What people are (deliberately) forgetting is that pubs, buses, have to have enhanced cleaning and social distancing in place- schools have different versions of this."

Kat Berry: “Reason why you cannot meet in groups more than six outside of public areas is cos people are not social distancing in homes, where the virus is spreading.”

Sam Wright: “It’s absolutely laughable we can’t be around more than six of our family members but our children can sit in a class with 30 other kids.”

Janet Stevenson: “I believe in careful and sensible measures but feel It’s ridiculous to keep families apart while they allow pubs to be open with up to 30 in a confined space.”

Emma Jane: “Not good but I agree, we were warned the brakes would go on.”

Donna Hodgson: “Ridiculous you know where your family’s been but you don’t know where strangers have been!”

Paul Taylor: “There’s nothing complicated anyway. Socially distance and a virus cannot spread!”

Tali Bhangu: “This was supposed to be about stopping the NHS from being completely overwhelmed - they are not.”

Tracey Anne Robson: “Yes I think it makes it more simple.”

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here.

Thank you.