Portsmouth families postpone birthday parties and anniversaries as 'rule of six' comes into force

From today no-one can have social gatherings of more than six people indoors or outdoors, but this does not apply to work or education. There are some other exemptions.

This has forced families to change plans for birthdays and anniversaries, although many understand why it needs to be done.

The law change comes as the growth rate of Covid-19 in England goes above one. Experts say it must be below this to slow down infections.

Special needs teacher Tina Michelle-Murphy, 31, has been shielding at home in Southsea with her young daughter Faith Rose, one, and twin boys Mason and Logan, who turn three today.

All three children are asthmatic and the family, together with husband Wayne, 46, had been looking forward to the boys’ party in their garden on Saturday.

But their plans for inviting close friends and family have been stopped in their tracks with the new rule of six law.

Tina said they had prepared for the party by buying barbecue food, a two-tiered specially-made cake and cupcakes, along with party bags.

‘Just as things started to lighten up and we could pop by the fence and say hello (to her parents) it’s gone back to normal,’ Tina said.

She added: ‘It’s now literally going to be us indoors. We’ve got 20 party bags ready made up and a whole two-tier cake between the five of us.

‘We wanted to be able to celebrate and not have the wasted money we’ve spent on everything.’

Tina said her sons returned to nursery but were home after catching a cold, and her youngest had been in hospital - making for a ‘hectic’ couple of weeks.

‘I was just disappointed because you can go sit in a pub if you want to and drink and be merry but I can’t have my family and friends - probably about 10 of us - to celebrate my twins turning three,’ she said.

The News asked people on our Facebook page if they had changed their plans.

Nancy Morris said: ‘Yup, already made a change as there would be more than six of us on our joint play date!’

Laura Perkins said: ‘Can still go to the cinema, go out for dinner, have a few drinks but can’t see immediate family members average family size must be at least four.

‘We are five so cannot meet anymore than one person yet I can go do other things for pleasure? Should do what Scotland is doing and not include children under 12.’

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