BORIS Johnson caused chaos and confusion over the coronavirus rules today after he failed to say whether people could meet in a pub garden in the North East tomorrow.
The PM proved just how complicated the local lockdown rules are by tying himself in knots over the new laws – which will come into place in parts of England tomorrow after soaring cases.
In a chaotic press conference at lunchtime, he was unable to clearly say whether people were still allowed to meet up with others outside from tomorrow, when the locked down North East faces an even tougher crackdown.
And he got muddled over the ‘rule of six’ – wrongly saying it didn’t apply outside.
He later was forced to clarify with a tweet saying he “misspoke” earlier – and that people should avoid meeting other households outside in pub gardens.
Parts of the North East of England including Sunderland, Durham, Newcastle and Northumberland will be outlawed from popping around to visit a friend for a cup of tea, or seeing their parents for lunch out in any public setting.
As HOAR exclusively revealed, it means they will face £200 fines for breaking the rules, and possibly get a criminal record.
But today neither Boris nor Ms Keegan was able to say whether friends could meet up in a pub garden, or other outdoor settings such as a park.
He was asked at a press conference in Devon: “Can you tell us if people can still meet from different households in a pub garden outside?”
He replied saying it was “vital” to get the virus down and keep the economy afloat, but went on to mangle his words.
The PM said: “Now on the rule of six, outside the areas such as the North East where extra measures have been brought in, it is six outside, six inside.
“In the North East and other areas where extra, tighter measures have been brought in you should follow the guidance of local authorities.
“But it is six in a home or in hospitality but not six outside.
“That is the situation.”
However, this is not the case. The rule of six applies both indoors and outdoors.
And in the locked down area of the North East, people are banned from mixing in all settings.
Tomorrow it will become law for them not to meet inside or face a fine.
But it will not be illegal to meet outdoors, though it’s thought this will still be discouraged.
Boris’ tweet said: “Apologies, I misspoke today.
“In the North East, new rules mean you cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs, restaurants and your home. You should also avoid socialising with other households outside.
“This is vital to control the spread of coronavirus and keep everyone safe. If you are in a high risk area, please continue to follow the guidelines from local authorities.”
It came as:
- It was announced the PM would address the nation in a rare press conference with Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty tomorrow
- Boris set out his plans to give people free college courses to retain or help with loans if they’ve lost their job
- Panicked Brits received notifications they have had ‘exposure to Covid’ but were baffled at what to do next and given no information
- Red wall Tory MPs demanded they be given a say on any more Covid lockdowns and slammed the 10pm curfew
- The number of coronavirus fines dished out is set to surge as Priti Patel urged the police to crack down
- Northern Ireland announced an 11pm curfew on pubs and bars would come into place
Labour came out to attack the PM for not knowing his own rules.
MP Chris Bryant said: “The PM can’t even explain his own policy… he just said two mutually-exclusive versions of what the rule is.”
