Social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England from Monday, in a bid to curb a steep rise in coronavirus cases.

The restriction will be backed by law and will be enforced through a £100 fine if people fail to comply with police, doubling up to a maximum of £3,200.

Previously, guidance allowed gatherings of up to six people from different households outdoors - or two households of any size, indoors or outdoors. But until now the police have had no powers to stop them unless they exceed 30.

The new restrictions won’t apply to schools, workplaces, weddings, funerals and organised team sports as long as Covid-secure guidance is followed.
Across the UK almost 8,400 new infections have been recorded since Sunday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to give more detail at a press conference in Downing Street later.