How many people can I meet? Latest rules on indoor and outdoor gatherings in England

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Local lockdowns are still in force in parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire, restricting household mixing

While restrictions on meeting with family and friends were relaxed in England in early July, stricter measures have since been reimposed in parts of Northern England.

Areas in West Yorkshire, East Lancashire and Greater Manchester were put under local lockdown on 31 July, introducing tougher rules for mixing with other households after a rise in coronavirus infections.

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Here are the latest rules on household gatherings that you need to know.

People can meet in groups of up to six people from different households outdoors from 1 JunePeople can meet in groups of up to six people from different households outdoors from 1 June
People can meet in groups of up to six people from different households outdoors from 1 June

How many people can I meet?

Current rules permit two households of any size in England to meet up indoors and stay overnight, while people can meet up with up to six people from different households outdoors. You should only meet in groups of more than six people if everyone is a member of the same household or support bubble.

It is against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes, including gardens and other outdoor spaces.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "From now on, we will ask people to follow guidance on social contact instead of legislation.

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"In that spirit, we advise that from July 4, two households of any size should be able to meet in any setting inside or out.

"That does not mean they must always be the same two households, it will be possible for instance to meet one set of grandparents one weekend, the others the following weekend.

"But we are not recommending meetings of multiple households indoors because of the risk of creating greater chains of transmission."

Changes to restrictions also mean that people can now also stay overnight in self-contained accommodation, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and campsites, providing shared facilities are kept clean.

Where are households not allowed to meet?

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The mixing of households has been banned from 31 July for certain areas in Greater Manchester, parts of East Lancashire and West Yorkshire, as well as in Leicester and most recently in Preston.

People who live in these affected areas are no longer allowed to meet with people who do not live in their household in a private home or garden.

Rules also prevent people from mixing with another household in other indoor public venues, such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops and places or worship. This rule does not apply to people who are in a support bubble, as they count as part of their household.

People are still allowed to meet outdoors in public spaces, such as parks, in groups of no larger than six, unless everyone is from two households.

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Rules state that people living inside and outside of the affected areas can continue to travel in and out for work, but should not travel outside of their area to meet with people, other than those in their support bubble, in their homes, gardens or indoor public places.

People can also still go on holiday outside of their area, but must only do this with people in their household, or who they have formed a support bubble with.

The areas affected by the restrictions are as follows:

West Yorkshire

Bradford

Calderdale

Kirklees

East Lancashire

Blackburn with Darwen

Burnley

Hyndburn

Pendle

Preston

Rossendale (to align with the rest of the country on 26 August)

Greater Manchester

City of Manchester

Trafford

Stockport

Oldham

Bury

Wigan (to align with the rest of the country on 26 August)

Bolton

Tameside

Rochdale

Salford

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