Household Gathering Limit Set To Be Reduced To Battle COVID-19 In UK

 The maximum number of people who can legally gather in a house in England is set to be reduced in a bid to stop COVID-19 spike. 

 

A government source told Sky News that the figure will be reduced from 30 but the new number is still being deliberated on.

 

This comes after 2,948 cases of Coronavirus were reported on Monday, the highest number since 22 May.

 

Under the government's current guidance, only groups from two different households are allowed to socialise indoors. But the law says gatherings of 30 people are illegal and £100 fines can be issued for breaches, rising to £3,200 for subsequent offenders, according to Sky News. 

 

Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical, warned on Monday that cases are rising because people have "relaxed too much".

 

Concerns have also been raised ahead of the new university year beginning this month and next with students preparing to travel across the country.

 

Robert Jenrick, the housing secretary, told Sky News students should "exercise a degree of caution... particularly when they go home and see their elderly relatives".

 

He added young people should use an "added degree of common sense this autumn".