The COVID Diaries – 175 29th September
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he “misspoke” after wrongly suggesting the “rule of six” limiting public gatherings does not apply outdoors in north-east England, adding to confusion about the latest lockdown rules.
His mistake came after skills minister, Gillian Keegan, was unable to answer the question of whether households in north-east England would be able to meet in a pub or restaurant garden.
An hour and a half later, the prime minister tweeted, “apologies: I misspoke today,” and stressed that in north-east England, individuals from different households “cannot” meet in any indoor social setting, and should “avoid socialising with other households outside”.