Covid: England will not exempt children from 'six person' rule despite Scotland and Wales doing so, Michael Gove insists

‘What we want to do is make sure we have a well understood public health message,’ says cabinet minister

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England will not exempt children from the six person restrictions on social gatherings, despite Scotland and Wales doing so, Michael Gove has insisted.

Resisting pressure from Tory backbenchers, the Cabinet Office minister, who was reportedly instrumental in pushing for the new rules, also signalled support for a proposal to introduce fines for those breaking self-isolation guidelines.

Unveiling the first national restrictions since the government started easing the lockdown, Boris Johnson said on Wednesday the police will have the powers to disperse groups larger than six and impose fines for those flouting the law.

Under the new rules, which come into force on Monday, gatherings of more than six people, both inside and outside, will be banned in response to the recent surge in coronavirus infections.

Certain exemptions will apply, including households of more than six people, workplaces and educational settings. Up to 30 people will still be permitted to attend weddings, funerals and other religious ceremonies, the government said.

Ministers have faced pressure to exempt young children from the restrictions after Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, said earlier this week those under the age of 12 would be exempt. Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford said his government had decided it “was not proportionate to include young children”.

Iain Duncan Smith, a former Conservative leader, told the Daily Mail that the government should follow suit and not include children in the restrictions that come into force on Monday in England.

“I would prefer the rule to apply to six adults,” he said. “We know how this virus is being spread, and it’s by young people going out and partying in large groups, so let’s target them instead.”

Asked if the government was considering such a move, Mr Gove, however, told BBC Breakfast: “No. I entirely understand, family life is so important, but the rule is there, the rule is clear and it commands public confidence.”

Pressed again on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he added: “I think it is absolutely right. The rule of six overall is well understood – the public understand and support what we are doing.

“What we want to do is make sure we have a well understood public health message.”

The cabinet minister insisted the rule was being put in place to “keep the infection rate down”, adding: “And then we can ensure in due course that these restrictions can be relaxed and my hope like so many is that we can have a proper Christmas.”

Amid reports ministers are also considering fines for individuals who flout self-isolation rules, including those displaying symptoms of Covid-19, Mr Gove indicated he backed such proposals. “I think it’s a fair point,” he said.

“I don't want to see fines being levied but even more I do not want to see people behaving in a way that puts the most vulnerable at risk.

“Sometimes there's an argument that's depicted as though this is pernicious of the liberty of freedom-loving people, well there are restrictions, and I love freedom, but the one thing I think is even more important is that you exercise freedom with responsibility.”