WITH rules on outside gatherings constantly adapting to the spiralling number of Covid-19 cases, it is hard to keep track on what people can and cannot do.

Major new changes to the law swept across the whole country on Monday and made it illegal to gather in a group of more than six people in any setting, including beaches and parks.

The new rules aim to curb the increase in Covid-19 cases.

The ban applies to people of all ages in England, including children, and the police now have the powers to enforce these limits, with rule-breakers facing chunky fines of up to £3,200.

Social premises and venues, including pubs, bars and restaurants, are now legally required to request test and trace information from customers and keep the details for 21 days, and those, and those which fail to do so, will be fined.

However, there are still a few important exemptions.

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Single households, or support bubbles that are larger than six, can still gather together.

Groups with more than six people can also meet outside for work, charitable services and childcare.

Despite rising cases, the Government also said it does not want to close schools, except in specific cases if there is a local outbreak.

The six-person limit does not apply to gatherings for an educational purpose, like school or university, or other training.

Covid-19-secure venues such as places of worship, leisure centres, gyms, restaurants and pubs, are still allowed to hold more than six people in total.

Religious ceremonies are also exempted, however, celebrations of these events is prohibited.

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Organised team sports carried out in a Covid-19-secure way can also have more than six participants.

However, this does not include informal sport or fitness activity with family or friends.

Additionally, weddings and funerals can still take place with a limit of 30 people providing they have taken precautions, but this does not include wakes.

Protests are also still allowed under the new law.

Public transport is also not affected by the rules and current rules for face coverings are still valid.

Legal obligations such as court and jury service are also exempted.

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While most of the new rules did not face a lot of backlash, the government's exemption on grouse shooting and hunting, which was announced later than the other restrictions, did not receive the support of many MPs.

Guidance on the rules, published by Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says that 'shooting including hunting and paintball that requires a shotgun or firearms certificate licence' counts as a sport.

The latest change is the first national tightening of Covid-19 restrictions since lockdown, after a major surge in cases across England.

The Government hope the new rules will make it easier for the police to break up large gatherings.

The Prime Minister also announced that Covid-19-secure marshals will be introduced in towns and city centres in England to help ensure social distancing measures are followed.