It's that time again - new lockdown regulations

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions on Holding of Gatherings and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020

New £10,000 fines for holding raves *or* gatherings of over 30 people in private gatherings or public places /1

Here are the links:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/907/contents/made

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/907/pdfs/uksi_20200907_en.pdf

As an aside, I am keeping a table of what I think are all of the national/local lockdown regulations - these are number 24 to be passed with no parliamentary scrutiny. Over 1 per week since lockdown began /2

It is already unlawful to *participate* in gatherings of over 30 people in private dwellings or public places subject to some pretty detailed exceptions - but if you are caught doing that the fines start at £100 and can rise to £3,200 for six offences.. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/684/regulation/9/made /3

But what these regulations do is massively up the ante for those who "hold or [are] involved in the holding of a gathering" - they will now get a £10,000 fine.

There are two kinds of gatherings which aren't allowed:
- A rave
- A gathering of more than 30 people (reg 5B) /4

A rave (regulation 5A) is defined as a 'section 63 type gathering' which cross refers to an already existing definition of a rave in other legislation

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/63/enacted

/5

For 5A, which relates to raves, there is a get out for those who are just attending

But, weirdly, that doesn't seem to apply to 5B, the other kind of gathering /6

5B may be the real stinger here as it applies basically to any privately held social gathering which doesn't fall with the exceptions.

/7

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you are caught "holding" a kids birthday party with more than 30 people not from the same household you could be on the end of a £10,000 fine.

That really seems to be the effect here - and I don't see what that has to do with raves /8

I mean, this £10,000 fine business was meant to be about raves, not family reunions, religious events, kids' birthday parties? Why are they suddenly the focus of this huge, potentially life changing fine? /9

I think this would also apply to demonstrations (eg Black Lives Matter) if not organised by an organisation. So spontaneous protests are out /10

Another thought, I think the effect of these amendments (though I doubt it was intended) is that if a gathering is held by a company or charity that fails to comply with government guidance it falls outside of the exceptions and becomes potentially liable for the £10,000 fine /11

I should have said that you can get the £10,000 fine even if you are “involved in the holding” (not just holding) a child’s birthday party. For instance if you blow up the balloons or bake the ! /12

My mistake - the exception for attendees only applies to both 5A and 5B. Apologies https://twitter.com/laworfiction/status/1299121273453400066

As I predicted on Friday, the new £10,000 fine can apply to protests as well as raves, family gatherings over 30... https://twitter.com/ChrisDYork/status/1300154206955794432?s=20

Huge new power for the police