UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given a press conference on new Covid-19 restrictions in England.
From Monday the “rule of six” will be introduced in England, he said. People should not meet up in groups of more than six.
He says this measure replaces current guidance.
The limit - sparked by concern that partying young people are fuelling a flare-up - is a dramatic reduction on the maximum of 30 put in place on July 4. It will be enforced by police with £100 fines, doubling on each repeat offence up to £3,200.
As long as shows are put on within organised and Covid-secure event spaces, such as theatres, these new rules will not impact any scheduled performances.
Johnson said “ we are not there yet” on vaccines but announced plans to trial mass rapid Covid testing for indoor and outdoor events next month.
The government is looking at new tests, involving swabs or saliva, that can give results very quickly, in 20-90 minutes.
Specifically, Johnson says this means that theatres could see something "close to normality" before Christmas.
Trials begin in Salford next month.