UK government confirms that any gathering of more than 30 people is illegal

[StealthPolarBear]

The police are presumably going to be very busy in schools this morning.

"More generally, you can continue to meet in larger groups if necessary for work, voluntary or charitable services, education, childcare or training, elite sporting competition or training, to fulfil legal obligations, to provide emergency assistance, or to enable someone to avoid illness, injury or risk of harm." (My bold)

From the Gov.UK guidance updated 2 September.

Twitter, with its limit on characters, isn't suitable for complex issues. And Extinction Rebellion, at whom the Tweet is presumably aimed, may go for the 'voluntary or charitable services' get out. A guy from the Met Police said on TV that they were looking carefully at the legal position.

Are you serious? It’s a social media public info campaign. They need to keep it short, not put all the nuances in.

I disagree. They need to keep it short but accurate.

We need to learn to understand the legislation ( that has been made without proper parliamentary scrutiny, but that's another matter) rather than going by the bullshit we are told is the law.

Businesses, charities, organisations etc are exempt from the 30 people rule provided they have risk assessed and have covid policies in place.

Obviously some bigger gatherings cant be stopped such as education or work environments as these are necessary, other large gatherings such as weddings or concerts or parties arent necessary at the moment. If we stop the unnecessary larger gatherings its still reducing community transmission.

If you read the government guidelines they are actually fairly clear on exemptions, schools, certain sports, childcare etc
This is just shoddy journalism not the government ( for once )

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-03/johnson-accused-of-hypocrisy-over-speech-to-packed-tory-meeting

Boris Johnson was accused of hypocrisy as his office warned Britons against breaking pandemic social-distancing rules, just minutes after the prime minister addressed a meeting of Conservative lawmakers he described as packed in “cheek by jowl.”

At least 50 Tory members of Parliament crammed into the parliamentary meeting room on Wednesday evening for the meeting, despite a sign on the door warning only 29 should be allowed in to limit the spread of coronavirus.

I don't think anyone cares about sd anymore.

It's simply not possible in schools. All we can do is wear masks and in some activities, space out.
And hope we can get through winter.

@BlowingmyJets

I don't think anyone cares about sd anymore.

It's simply not possible in schools. All we can do is wear masks and in some activities, space out.
And hope we can get through winter.

I haven't cared about it since March and can't actually believe it's still in place. Done with it now.

Not caring is a luxury.

Cherrypavlova you are right! The way the BBC news webpages are just reprinting the government's press releases is getting ridiculous (yesterday's news item headline on 'cases holding steady' was rather contradicted by the actual numbers published this week showing they're clearly going up daily). The ban on events with more than 30 people, except by organisations approved by the gvt, does not look good - what does this mean for our right to hold a peaceful protest about anything?

farfallarocks this was the no 10 twitter account. So definitely from the government.

Yes there is a specific exception in the law for educational establishments.

Of course schools can’t social distance.. and I am glad they can’t. Children need other children!