all attendees are part of the same household, or of two linked households, were permitted. Larger organised gatherings For the first time, the regulations allowed for the possibility of multiple groups of people attending certain larger organised gatherings, with each group remaining separate from all the others. For this to be permitted, each group (called a "qualifying group") had to be of no more than six people unless all members were from the same or a linked household. The qualifying groups had to remain separate, and people were not permitted to join any other group nor mingle with anyone outside their own group. Such gatherings were permitted indoors or at a premises (other than in a private dwelling) only where operated by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution, or a public body. They were permitted in a public outdoor space only if organised by one of the above, or a political body, and where a risk assessment had been carried out. Other exceptions Gatherings of more than six people from separate or non-linked households were also allowed in the following circumstances, some of which were newly introduced by the regulations: Terms marked with an asterisk in the above table: "formal organiser" meant a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution, or a public body "relevant premises" meant premises which are operated by a formal organiser "relevant outdoor activity" meant an outdoor physical activity for which a licence or permit issued by a public body (other than a driving licence or a food or alcohol licence) was required; Government guidance stated that this covers shooting and hunting "significant event gathering" meant a gathering to celebrate a significant milestone in a person's life such as a coming of age or a rite of passage according to their religion or belief. Standard birthdays were not considered significant for this purpose. Gatherings for a funeral or commemoration of a life were included, but there was no allowance for wakes, which were not permitted to involve a gathering of more than six. Penalties The £10,000 penalty for organising certain gatherings introduced on 28 August applied to gatherings not listed in the above categories of permitted gathering. Other penalties for participating in a forbidden gathering remained in place. Late publication of the 'Rule of six' regulations The regulations were published only around 30 minutes before they were due to come into effect at 00:01