Rule of six: What Echo readers said about change in Government's rules on socialising in England
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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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Hide AdHouseholds 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.”
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Hide AdSharon 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.”
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Hide AdJanet 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!”
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Hide AdTali 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.”