by way of a delivery service in response to orders made online, by phone, text or post. Overnight drive-throughs could also remain in operation, and overnight food and drink could continue to be provided by motorway service stations. Table service and customer seating New table service and customer seating rules were applied to certain venues, namely restaurants, cafes and workplace canteens, bars, pubs, social clubs and casinos, and to food and drink takeaways (other than supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacists and filling stations). Such venues selling alcohol were required to serve all food and drink to customers seated at tables. Customers had to order at the table, and to remain seated while eating and drinking. Such venues not selling alcohol were not required to serve customers at a table, but they had to ensure that customers eating and drinking on the premises remained seated. Reductions in permitted gatherings From 24 September, the exception to the rule of six for large 'significant event gatherings' was abolished, and such gatherings were restricted to six people. Gatherings for funerals could, however, still be of up to 30. The maximum attendance at support group meetings reduced from 30 to 15, and such meetings could no longer take place at private dwellings. Non-elite sports gatherings of more than six people could no longer take place indoors unless the participants were disabled. From 28 September, the legally-permitted maximum attendance at wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and their associated receptions reduced from 30 to 15. Government guidance stated that anyone who was working was not counted towards this limit. Penalties Contravening the overnight closure or table service and customer seating requirements could result in a fixed penalty notice for £1,000, rising on a sliding scale to £10,000 for fourth and subsequent breaches. Penalties relating to the permitted gatherings rules were doubled from £200 to £6,400 depending on the number of breaches. Offenders could also be prosecuted. Local lockdown exceptions SI 2020/684 defined the general rules that applied across most of England, though the Leicester area was initially excluded due to higher rates of coronavirus there. Subsequent amendments later applied more restrictive rules to many other local areas. Related legislation The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/750), which came into force on 18 July 2020, gave local authorities power to give directions affecting premises, events and public open spaces within their areas. See also