CORONAVIRUS

Covid ban on meetings of more than six people

Socialising to be curbed ‘for the foreseeable future’ with more restrictions on pubs and restaurants
Boris Johnson told the cabinet he feared people were becoming complacent about social distancing
Boris Johnson told the cabinet he feared people were becoming complacent about social distancing
TOMMY LONDON/ALAMY

A ban on socialising with more than six people will be in place for the “foreseeable future”, the health secretary has warned as he pledged tougher rules for pubs and restaurants.

All hospitality businesses will be legally required to take customers’ details for contact tracing because some are not following voluntary guidance to do so, Matt Hancock said.

While some in government hope the limits on socialising can be a temporary measure to get cases down as people go back to work and school, Mr Hancock struck a more pessimistic note.

“It’s absolutely therefore the foreseeable future. I really hope we can turn this round before Christmas,” he told Today on BBC Radio 4.

Boris Johnson has previously expressed hope of a return to normal