Number of people who can legally gather in England reduced from 30 to six
The government has announced it is reducing the number of people who can legally gather in England from 30 to six amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, effective from Monday.
The government has just announced that it is reducing the number of people who can legally gather in England from 30 to six.
The ban comes amid a rise in COVID-19 cases and will be effective from Monday.
The new crackdown on groups of more than six people gathering in homes, parks, pubs and restaurants is England’s biggest coronavirus restriction since lockdown was eased in the country.
The government has announced it is reducing the number of people who can legally gather in England from 30 to six amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, effective from Monday
There have been more than 350,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far in the UK and more than 40,000 people have died, government figures show.
The government announced 2,460 new cases early on Tuesday. The total was 2,988 on Sunday, the highest figure since 22 May.
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According to Sky News, the Prime Minister will now announce a new government advertising campaign entitled “Hands. Face. Space.”
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“We are simplifying and strengthening the rules on social contact, making them easier to understand and for the police to enforce,” Johnson will reportedly announce at a Downing Street news conference.
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“It is absolutely critical that people now abide by these rules and remember the basics – washing your hands, covering your face, keeping space from others, and getting a test if you have symptoms.”
If people fail to comply with police, the new ban will be enforced through a £100 fine – which will continue to double for repeat offenders up to a maximum of £3,200.
Deansgate, Bolton, Lancashire, England
Several exemptions will apply, however, with households and ‘support bubbles’ bigger than six people remaining unaffected.
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A full list of exemptions will be published by the government later, before Boris Johnson delivers further details at a Downing Street news conference on Wednesday.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
8th September 2020 
