U.K. bans 'any form of social interaction' between two or more people indoors

The U.K. has formally outlawed what it deems "any form of social interaction" that takes place indoors between two or more individuals from different households, a striking measure the government is implementing as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sharply decrease there. 

The legislation, which consists of amendments to earlier coronavirus restrictions, went into effect Monday. The restrictions are described as "proportionate to what they seek to achieve, which is a public health response to" the presence of COVID-19 in the country.

The law stipulates that "no person may participate in a gathering which takes place in a public or private place ... indoors, and consists of two or more persons." 

It defines a "gathering" as a scenario in which "two or more people are present together in the same place in order to engage in any form of social interaction with each other, or to undertake any other activity with each other." 

The government is also forbidding people from engaging in "gatherings" of more than six individuals while outdoors. 

The law allows for exceptions to the rule, such as funereal attendance, work-related circumstances and children visiting divorced parents. 

The move comes as the pandemic appears to be winding down in the country. Data from the U.K. indicate that the disease likely peaked there in early-to-mid April and has been trending downward ever since.

The country recorded a little over 100 COVID-19 deaths yesterday, and just 1,570 new cases.