'Bound to happen', 'mixed messages', 'good': How Portsmouth reacted to gatherings of more than six people being made illegal

READERS have had their say after the news broke this evening that gatherings of more than six people will be made illegal across the country from next week in a bid to curb a rise in coronavirus cases.
By Millie Salkeld
Published 8th Sep 2020, 23:15 BST
Updated 8th Sep 2020, 23:21 BST
People watch as a sailing boat passes Southsea, Hampshire. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday September 7, 2020. Steve Parsons/PA WirePeople watch as a sailing boat passes Southsea, Hampshire. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday September 7, 2020. Steve Parsons/PA Wire
People watch as a sailing boat passes Southsea, Hampshire. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday September 7, 2020. Steve Parsons/PA Wire

The legal limit on social gatherings will be reduced from 30 people to six and will apply to meetings indoors and outdoors – including parks, pubs and restaurants.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to announce more details in a press conference tomorrow.

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It will not apply to schools and workplaces and exemptions will also apply for weddings, funerals and organised team sports in a Covid-secure way.

Gatherings of more than six people will be allowed where the bubble is larger than six.

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Gatherings with more than 6 people will be illegal across England from Monday

Here is what readers of The News had to say about the law change:

Jade Powell: ‘It is because schools have opened. If we loosen restrictions in one area then we have to limit contact in another to keep the infection rate down. The alternative is to close schools again or see a huge rise in cases all at the same time, which the NHS may not be able to handle.’

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Paul Child: ‘Last week Boris said it was safe to go back to work!! Mixed messages left right and centre.’

Katie Lucy: ‘This weekend will be carnage.’

SEE ALSO: Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth's latest mission delayed after sailors test positive for Covid-19

Vicki Few: ‘Why close the schools? My son has his first day back tomorrow and needs to be back in school and getting a proper education, there’s only so much he can learn at home without the support of his teachers.

‘I’ve seen endless photos of people crammed into pubs, perhaps if more people adhered to the rules we wouldn’t be in this situation.’

Emily Louise: ‘Can't gather with more than 6 in your garden, but can send your kids off to school with 30 other kids in a class and a teacher and 2 ta's.... Makes complete sense.’

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Kelly Adams: ‘Bound to happen, people can’t stick to any rules.’

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Related topics:PortsmouthBoris JohnsonHMS Queen ElizabethNHS

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