Partygate timeline: What were the rules in May 2020?

Boris Johnson is facing a hammering at PMQs today after his Principal Private Secretary, Martin Reynolds, wrote an email to Downing Street staff on 20 May 2020, inviting over a hundred staff to “socially distanced drinks” in the No. 10 garden that evening. 

This was during our first national lockdown, and would have undoubtedly been a breach of restrictions in place at the time. A timeline from March to July 2020 can help to refresh our memories of exactly what the national rules and mood were like at the time of this alleged illegal bash. 

23 March 

The UK enters its first national lockdown to slow the spread of Covid-19. 

In a televised address, Boris Johnson tells the country that everyone must “stay at home”, except for “very limited purposes” – such as shopping for essential items, one form of daily exercise or to travel to and from work where work cannot be done from home. All non-essential shops, libraries, places of worship, playgrounds and outdoor gyms are closed. 

26 March

Lockdown restrictions legally come into effect under a statutory instrument called the the Health Protection (COVID-19, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020. The legislation grants police powers to enforce the measures, including the use of fines, and it states that “proceedings for an offence under these Regulations may be brought by the Crown Prosecution Service.”

The Fixed Penalty Notices, issued by the police, start at £200 for those breaking lockdown to attend a small gathering, rising to £800 for gatherings of more than fifteen people, and £10,000 for those hosting a large gathering of over thirty people. 

27 March

The Prime Minister and Health Secretary Matt Hancock both test positive for COVID-19. On this same day, Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s top political advisor, breaches lockdown rules by driving 250 miles to Durham with his wife and child. 

5 April

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is admitted to St Thomas’ hospital after his condition deteriorates. The following day, he is moved into intensive care. 

12 April

Johnson is discharged from hospital and continues to recover from Covid-19 at Chequers. 

27 April

Boris Johnson makes his first public statement since returning to work, in which he declares that the UK is “beginning to turn the tide” but urges people not to lose patience with the restrictions. 

5 May

The UK records the highest number of COVID-19 related deaths in Europe, as the death toll rises to just under 30,000. ONS figures reveal that deaths per week in hospitals are now falling but those in care homes continue to increase.

10 May

The UK government updates its COVID-19 message from “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives” to “stay alert, control the virus, save lives”. 

In an address to the nation, Boris Johnson says it is “not the time to end the lockdown this week”, but he encourages those who work in industries such as construction and manufacturing, to return to the workplace the following day, avoiding public transport if possible. 

11 May

Figures from the National Police Chiefs’ Council show that police forces in England and Wales have issued 14,244 fines for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown laws between 27 March and 11 May. 

13 May

Lockdown rules are eased slightly, allowing those in England to meet up with one person from outside their household, provided they are outdoors and remain at least two metres apart. Garden centres, sports courts and recycling centres are also permitted to re-open, as the Health Protection (COVID-19, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2020 comes into effect. 

15 May

Boris Johnson allegedly attends a “wine and pizza” party in the Downing Street garden with around 20 staff. 

20 May

The “bring your own booze” bash takes place at Downing Street at 6pm. 

Just 55 minutes before it kicks off, Cabinet Minister Oliver Dowden leads a press conference, in which he explicitly tells the public to “limit contact with other people”, reminding them: “You can meet one person outside of your household in an outdoor, public place — provided that you stay two meters apart.” He adds: “Staying alert for the vast majority of people still means staying at home as much as possible.”

That same day, Met Police also tweets: “Have you been enjoying the hottest day of the year so far? It is important that we all continue to #StayAlert. You can relax, have a picnic, exercise or play sport, as long as you are: On your own, with people you live with or just you and one other person.”

On 20 May, the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 drops below 10,000 for the first time since March but government figures show that a further 363 in the UK have died after testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the total death toll to 35,704. 

23 May 

The nation in incensed after the story breaks about Cummings’ earlier road trip to Durham at the height of lockdown. Calls for his resignation mount. 

25 May

Five days after the BYOB bash, Johnson is asked at a press conference what could be done to prevent people from gathering in groups in parks. He replies: “Feel free to speak to people yourself if you feel that they are not obeying the rules. But the police will step in if necessary and encourage people to obey the law.”

1 June

The “rule of six” is introduced for outdoor gatherings in England, but indoor mixing remains prohibited. Primary schools in England begin a phased re-opening.

15 June 

Non-essential shops reopen in England and private prayer is permitted in places of worship but the ban on communal worship remains in place. 

23 June

The PM ends the two-metre social distancing rule. 

4 July

Most remaining restrictions in England are lifted, including the reopening of pubs, restaurants and hairdressers.