Yesterday (September 14), gatherings of more than 6 people were banned across England but the UK government have been accused of making exceptions for “their mates” as it has emerged hunting is exempt from the ‘rule of six’.
Due to the recent surge in coronavirus cases in the country, the government introduced the ‘rule of six’ which makes it illegal for groups larger than six to meet.
However, some “outdoor activity” is exempt from this rule and allows gatherings of up to 30 people and one such activity is hunting.
Yesterday, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs posted guidance on the new rule which said “shooting (including hunting and paintball that requires a shotgun or firearms certificate licence” counts as a “sport or organised outdoor activity”.
The guidance says: “When participating in organised sport or licensed physical activity, you must not gather in groups of more than six before and after the activity. You must also ensure you socially distance from people you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) wherever possible.
“When playing sports informally with people you don’t live with, you must limit the size of your group to six. It is illegal to do so in a larger group and you may be fined.”
The Labour Party have criticised the move, with the Shadow Environment Secretary – Luke Pollard – saying: “Across the country, people are struggling to get COVID-19 tests anywhere near their homes.
“But the Conservatives are distracted with trying to exempt the bloodsport passions of their big donors from coronavirus regulations. It shows where this government’s priorities really lie.
“It is clear there’s one rule for the Cabinet and their mates and another for the rest of us.”
Hunting is one of many organised or licences physical activity exempt from the rule such as football, rugby and sailing.
The full list of organised sport or licensed outdoor physical activity that you can do in groups of more than six can be seen below:
- Angling
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Caving
- Climbing
- Curling
- Cricket
- Dodgeball
- Dragon Boat Racing
- Equestrian
- Floorball
- Football
- Gaelic Sports
- Goalball
- Hockey
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Netball
- Octopush (underwater hockey)
- Polo
- Roller Sports
- Rowing
- Rugby League
- Rugby Union
- Rounders
- Sailing
- Shooting (including hunting and paintball that requires a shotgun or firearms certificate licence)
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Volleyball