IT is only from today that gatherings of up to six people are to be allowed, as long as they are outdoors and that social distancing is maintained.

Last weekend, there were organised gatherings of groups of at least fifty, as seen in the Echo photo, within inches of each other (Echo, May 26) in the river at Richmond. The police attended and it was reported that they could do nothing.

This was potentially extremely dangerous, as there could be symptom-free carriers spreading the virus to dozens of households.

Yes, we know that few young people have been affected by the virus, but they could spread it to vulnerable family members.

I do not recall the Prime Minister exempting young people from the rules on social distancing and mass gathering, so why are they simply left to get on with it?

G Carr, Aycliffe Village