Families of six or more 'won't be helped by easing of lockdown'

The government has ruled out extending social bubbles beyond six people for the time being, saying they had to ‘draw a line somewhere’.

It means families of six or more will be unable to meet with additional people together, the Environment Secretary George Eustice confirmed.

He admitted that the government’s new policy, which allows individuals to meet in groups of up to six people from different households in parks or in private gardens on Monday, will not help families of this size or more who already reach the limit.

Defending the new rule on BCC Breakfast, he said ministers had to ‘draw a line somewhere’ and suggested a solution would be for some of the family members to go and meet grandparents or friends while the others stay at home.

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He said ‘We think that six is about a sensible level.

‘We know that the risk of transmission outdoors is actually very low, but obviously if you’ve got lots of people crowded in a garden, if you’ve got two families of six crowded in, obviously that starts to be more difficult to maintain social distancing.’

Mr Eustice was responding to a member of the public called Claire, who asked whether her family of six would be able to meet other people together and extend their social circle under the new rules.

He added: ‘Obviously if they are six on their own then the answer is these rules don’t really help them very much if they want to meet as a full family.

‘But for instance if Claire wanted to go with two of the children and take them to see for instance their grandparents if they have grandparents, or uncles, they would be able to do so.

‘So you have to draw a line somewhere otherwise it goes on and on.’

The latest easing of lockdown measures comes into force on Monday and allows people to meet in groups of up to six from different households outside, either in parks or now also in private gardens, as long as people remain two metres apart.

Boris Johnson said the UK was meeting the five tests needed to prevent a second wave of coronavirus, meaning more restrictions could be relaxed.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference yesterday he said: ‘ At the moment, as you know, people can meet in parks but not in private gardens and this was a cautious first step.

‘But we know that there is no difference in the health risk. ‘So we will now allow people to meet in gardens and other private outdoor spaces. These changes mean that friends and family can start to meet their loved ones, perhaps seeing both parents at once or both grandparents at once.

‘And I know for many people this will be a long-awaited and joyful moment. But I must stress that to control the virus everyone needs to stay alert, act responsibly, strictly observe social distancing rules and stay two metres apart from those you do not live with.’

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