How The Rule Of Six Affects Ghost Hunting

This week the rule of six came into effect in England. The rule is the government's latest move to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but it imposes some restrictions on how we socialise, and that might include ghost hunts.

The rule is pretty simple. It states that no more than six people can meet socially in a group in any setting indoors or outdoors.

Any social gatherings of more than six people will be against the law and police now have the power to disperse gatherings of over six people and fine the individuals involved.

Since the new rule replaces the existing ban on gatherings of more than 30, how does this affect public ghost hunting events and team investigations?

Public ghost hunting events are hosted at locations which would be classed as either a workplace or a hospitality venue. These types of locations can still host more than six people in total providing the venue is COVID-secure.

In order to be deemed secure venues might put into place precautions which include the implementation of a one-way system, and rules on how many people can be in a certain part of the building at any one time to ensure areas are not overcrowded and social distancing is possible. Venues will also have a track and trace system in place.

The rule of six comes into play for those attending the event. You can attend an event in a group of no more than six people and individual groups at an event must not mix socially, form larger groups, or come in to contact with another group.

Even within your group of up to six, it is important to remember that you should stay two meters apart from anyone who you don't live with or who is outside of your support bubble. This can be reduced to one meter with extra precautions, such as a face mask.

Event organisers should ensure that masks are worn at all times when indoors, that hand sanitiser is available, and that a minimum distance of one meter is strictly maintained.

This means that activities such as Ouija boards and table tipping that require participants to be in close contact should be limited to members of the same household or support bubble. Care should be taken to sanitise surfaces and ghost hunting equipment after each use.

There has been some confusion in the paranormal community about the new rule in regards to public events. The key thing to remember is that you can only attend a ghost hunt in a group of six people or less. This is also true of eating out or going to the pub. You can attend any hospitality venue in a group of up to six people, but you cannot mix or come into close contact with other groups at the venue.

As the government guidelines state: "venues following COVID-19 secure guidelines will be able to continue to host more people in total, but no one should mix in a group of greater than six. This includes places like a pub, shop, leisure venue, restaurant or place of worship."

To clarify further, the reason why a hospitality venue can hold more than six people at any one time in individual groups of up to six people is because these venues have assessed the risks and have coronavirus precautions in place, whereas a private home doesn't. Similarly, team sports organised in a COVID-19 secure way are also permitted with more than six players.

If you're part of a paranormal team that conducts private investigations or produces live or pre-recorded video content of investigations, then things are even easier to understand.

As of this week you cannot investigate in a team of more the six people whether you are indoors or outdoors.

During an investigation you should maintain a distance of at least one meter from any of your fellow investigators who you don't live with and ensure that you wear a face covering at all times.

Private investigations are less likely to be taking place in COVID-secure locations, so it's up to you and your team mates to ensure the social distancing guidelines are being followed and that all necessary precautions are taken to keep each other safe. This includes regularly washing your hands, using hand sanitiser, and sanitising any surfaces you come in to contact with - this is especially important when investigating someone's home.

There are some exemptions to the rule of six. If your household consists of more than six people or you've formed a support bubble which is larger than six people, then you can attend an event or embark on a team investigation with this group.

The government are taking the new rules seriously and police have been given the power to fine individuals caught breaking the rule of six £100, doubling up to a maximum of £3,200.

As well as the new rule, we should all remember the basics. While on an event remember... Hands. Face. Space.

Wash your hands for 20 seconds as often as possible, wear a face covering while indoors, and ensure you are keeping your distance from other guests at all times.

This new rule of six only applies in England, so what's the situation in other parts of the UK?

Six people can attend a ghost hunt together, but they must all belong to the same extended household. Up to four households can join together to form an extended household. Groups of up to 30 can meet for outdoor investigations, as long as social distancing is maintained.

Six people can attend a ghost hunt together, but they must be from no more than two households. This applies to both indoor and outdoor settings where social distancing can be maintained.

Six people can attend an indoor ghost hunt together, but they must be from no more than two households. No more than 15 people can meet outdoors with social distancing in place.