Will _ would and Can_Could differences

Question

I read the below article in "The Hindu" newspaper:

The state government has imposed restrictions on gatherings with immediate effect. Only 50 persons would be allowed at gatherings. The government ordered the closure of all the gymnasiums, spas, sports complexes and others with immediate effect. Funerals and related activities could be attended by not more than 20 persons.

My doubt here is, Shouldn't we use will and can instead of Would and Could??

What is the difference in meaning if we use will and can instead of would and could?

Answer 1

I assume that the restrictions are currently in force, because the present perfect "has imposed". Both can/will and could/would are valid, and each indicates a different perspective of the writer.

If you talk about a gathering that is planned to take place at 9am om the 11th of May, that is an actual gathering... God willing, it will happen at the specified time and date. If you talk about gatherings that have not yet been conceived of, let alone planned, they are hypothetical gatherings.

If you choose to talk about actual gatherings that will be affected, you use will and can, for example

Only 50 persons will be allowed at gatherings.

If you choose to talk about the effect on hypothetical gatherings, you apply a backshift, using would and could. Some people refer to this as a second conditional. here is an example:

Only 50 persons would be allowed at gatherings.

Answer 2

I agree with you. If we think of “gatherings,” “funerals,” etc., as classes of events, then using will and can might feel more natural, and using would and could feels like we're talking about a hypothetical that has already come to pass.

However, if we think of these gatherings, funerals, etc. as hypothetical examples, then using would and could make some sense.

Edit. OP asked for clarification what "hypothetical" means here. A "hypothetical gathering" here means a gathering that does not exist, but is just supposed (as in "made up") to make a point. Since the gatherings being discussed don't actually exist, we use conditional words like would and could.