Coronavirus: Boris Johnson confused over his own ‘rule of six’
- British prime minister apologises for mistakenly telling reporters that restriction on social gatherings does not apply outdoors
- Gaffe highlights puzzlement felt by Britons over regulations that vary for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
With different measures in each UK nation, localised lockdowns and a rapidly changing national picture, many Britons are confused about coronavirus restrictions – including, it emerged on Tuesday, the prime minister.
Boris Johnson apologised on Twitter for having “misspoken” when asked about regional restrictions on socialising that are set to be imposed in northeast England from midnight.
He sought to clarify that the “rule of six” limit on social gatherings in England does apply outdoors, after earlier telling reporters that it did not.
The rule was introduced earlier this month to replace what he himself said were “confusing” regulations.
06:03
Worldwide Covid-19 death toll surpasses 1 million
The opposition Labour party seized on the gaffe, with deputy leader Angela Rayner saying: “For the prime minister to not understand his own rules is grossly incompetent.”
With 42,000 people confirmed to have died from Covid-19 in Britain, the highest toll in Europe, ministers are desperate to stop the virus spreading as it did in the spring.