A pub can have more than 6 people in it, but they cannot be in groups of more than 6 - so 6 people on one table, for example. Groups must be >2m apart.
So your 2 tables of 4 people can go ahead, but the two tables must be distanced.
It doesn't apply to businesses and offices because the virus understands the importance of these environments to the economy and so has agreed not to spread in these places.
But that doesnt explain " social gathering" does it. For example, if my local classic car club arranged a meeting of 20 people in a pub, with groups of 4 or 6 per table 2m apart, is that a social gathering? Does it become one if we chat over that 2 m distance - those of us without hearing aids that is. If it is a social gathering how is it more of a virus risk than a similar situation not organised by a club and where the tables dont know each other. Does it stop being a social gathering if we all wear masks?
And then there is the bubble question. How long is a bubble a bubble? If you form a bubble are you in it for life or as long as the virus lasts? Or for a week or a day? Or can you move from bubble to bubble with each meal course? Anyone know? I would have thought that a bubble wiould be the same for the gestation perion od in infection but how long is that? 6 days or two weeks?
