New rules on social gatherings not all bad news for pubs according to brewery in East Anglia
The so called 'rule of six' comes into force in England today.
Following a rise in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week that there'll be tougher restrictions on social gatherings in England.
Now, you cannot meet socially in a group of more than six people who you do not live with, indoors and outdoors.
Unless you are meeting as a household or support bubble, it will be illegal to meet in a group larger than that amount.
Anyone found to be breaking the rules will face fines of £100 for the first incident, and doubling for further breaches up to a maximum of £3,200.
Hospitality businesses also need to legally take people's contact details for test and trace, which was previously voluntary.
The new restrictions have been seen as a positive by Adnams, based in Southwold, who thinks it'll make things simpler for businesses.
Nick Attfield, Director of Pubs and Hotels for the Suffolk brewery, told us: "What this actually will do is help us with that simplicity of message, in that there are no more awkward questions of 'do you come from more than two households?'.
"It will just give us that simplified message, that unless you are from one household, the maximum number of people we can allow in is six.
"Actually, that kind of visit to the pub is much more the pre-Covid normal for us."
What are the exceptions to the 'rule of six'?
According to the government, the exceptions to the new restrictions are as follows:
- If everyone lives together, are in the same support bubble, or continue existing arrangements where children do not live in the same home as both parents.
- Work, voluntary, charitable or education services.
- Funerals or weddings, where up to 30 people can attend.
- Organised indoor and outdoor sports that are Covid-secure.
- Participating in children's playgroups, youth groups or activities.
- Providing emergency assistance, supporting a vulnerable person, or to avoid illness, injury or harm.
- Attending court or jury service.
- Protests and political activities that comply with Covid-19 guidance
The rules do come with complications though, as hospitality businesses must put trust in their customers that - if there's more than six people - they are from one household.
Nick continued: "There is a lot of trust on behalf of the customer that we're doing everything to keep them safe, and likewise we have to trust our customers that they are abiding by the new laws.
"We will continue to ask those questions to people when they book tables with us or when they turn up. It has to be a two-way thing, we're lucky to have been able to open our properties back in July and we will do our bit make sure they're Covid-secure."