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Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules? Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules?
(about 2 hours later)
England and Scotland have cut the number of people allowed to meet socially to six. There are now similar rules in Wales if you want to meet indoors. Northern Ireland says different households can't mix socially indoors in private homes. People in Northern Ireland and Scotland will no longer be allowed to socialise in their homes with people they don't live with. The rules in England and Wales were also recently tightened.
How does that change what you are allowed to do? What are the current rules on socialising?
What are the new rules on socialising? In England, a maximum of six people from multiple households can meet up both indoors and outdoors - in private homes, pubs, restaurants and parks. All ages are included in the headcount. There are some exceptions - for example when a single household has more than six occupants.
In England, the limit of up to six people from multiple households meeting up applies both indoors and outdoors, and to all ages. In Scotland, people are being told not to visit other households or other private indoor spaces. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the rules would be in place from Friday 25 September, but she has asked people to comply early.
Gatherings in private homes, venues like pubs and restaurants, and in outdoor spaces like parks are all affected. In public indoor spaces, where Covid-secure guidelines are observed, six people from two households can gather. The same rule of six applies in outdoor spaces, including private gardens.
In Scotland, a maximum of six people from two households can meet. Unlike England, children under 12 - from those two households - are not included in the total. Outdoors, children aged 11 or under will be exempt form the headcount. Young people aged 12 to 18 will also be exempt from the two household limit and allowed to meet together outdoors in groups of six.
In Wales, it is now illegal for more than six people to meet indoors - and even then, the six people must be from an "extended household". Children aged 10 and under do not count in the total. Up to 30 people from different homes can still meet outside. Northern Ireland has also announced tougher rules. Social mixing of households will now not be allowed inside private homes - although there are some exemptions.
Northern Ireland has announced tougher rules. Social mixing of households will now not be allowed inside private homes at all - although there are some exemptions.
Up to six people from two households can meet in private gardens. In other places, both inside and outside, up to 15 can gather with social distancing - but venues, such as pubs, must carry out risk assessments.Up to six people from two households can meet in private gardens. In other places, both inside and outside, up to 15 can gather with social distancing - but venues, such as pubs, must carry out risk assessments.
In Wales, it is now illegal for more than six people to meet indoors - and even then, the six people must be from an "extended household". Children aged 10 and under do not count in the total. Up to 30 people from different homes can still meet outside.
What are the rules on mingling?What are the rules on mingling?
The guidelines for England refer to times when "mingling" could break the rules. It says "there can be multiple groups of six people in a place, provided that those groups do not mingle".The guidelines for England refer to times when "mingling" could break the rules. It says "there can be multiple groups of six people in a place, provided that those groups do not mingle".
If you are at a pub, restaurant or other venue, you should "avoid mingling with anyone outside the group you are with, even if you see other people you know".If you are at a pub, restaurant or other venue, you should "avoid mingling with anyone outside the group you are with, even if you see other people you know".
People attending a protest, or other organised event, should also attend in groups no larger than six.People attending a protest, or other organised event, should also attend in groups no larger than six.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said two families of four stopping for a chat would be another example of mingling that broke the rules.Home Secretary Priti Patel said two families of four stopping for a chat would be another example of mingling that broke the rules.
Will any gatherings of more than six be allowed?Will any gatherings of more than six be allowed?
Exceptions allowed in England include:Exceptions allowed in England include:
From Monday 28 September, only 15 people will be able to attend weddings or civil partnerships, in groups of six. Funerals will be able to take place with up to 30 people attending.From Monday 28 September, only 15 people will be able to attend weddings or civil partnerships, in groups of six. Funerals will be able to take place with up to 30 people attending.
Can I still go to the pub or to a place of worship? Can I still go to the pub, place of worship or an exercise class?
Yes. Pubs, restaurants, shops and other venues will remain open if they follow safety rules and allow for social distancing.Yes. Pubs, restaurants, shops and other venues will remain open if they follow safety rules and allow for social distancing.
Across England however, from Thursday 24 September, all pubs, restaurants and hospitality venues will have to shut at 22:00, and will only be able to offer table service. However, across England from Thursday 24 September - and Scotland from Friday - all pubs, restaurants and hospitality venues will have to shut at 22:00. They will only be able to offer table service.
Each group can have no more than six people in it and venues should also allow for social distancing between groups.Each group can have no more than six people in it and venues should also allow for social distancing between groups.
Places of worship can have as many people in them as is safe to do so. Again, people can only attend in groups of six or less. In England, places of worship can have as many people in them as is safe to do so. Again, people can only attend in groups of six or less.
What are the rules for sports?
From Monday 28 September you will only be able to play organised indoor sports in groups of six or less. It will still be possible for larger groups to take part in organised sports outdoors, but not on an informal basis.
So, a Sunday League football match could go ahead, but not a game in the park with more than six people.
Group exercise classes are exempt from the rule of six, as long as they are organised under Covid-secure guidelines.Group exercise classes are exempt from the rule of six, as long as they are organised under Covid-secure guidelines.
The government has listed 30 organised sports which are permitted with more than six participants. It says others will also be allowed if a sport's organising body has published guidelines. The UK government has listed 30 organised sports which are permitted with more than six participants. It says others will also be allowed if a sport's organising body has published guidelines.
Can I be fined for breaking the rules?Can I be fined for breaking the rules?
The new measures mean police can break up groups larger than six.The new measures mean police can break up groups larger than six.
Members of the group can be fined if they fail to follow the rules or wear a mask where specified. From Monday 28 September the fine for a first offence will double to £200. Repeat offenders will have their fines doubled for successive offences, up to a maximum of £3,200.Members of the group can be fined if they fail to follow the rules or wear a mask where specified. From Monday 28 September the fine for a first offence will double to £200. Repeat offenders will have their fines doubled for successive offences, up to a maximum of £3,200.
What is the guidance on social distancing?What is the guidance on social distancing?
Each UK nation is advising people to stay 2m (6ft) away from anyone they don't live with. However, there are some differences:Each UK nation is advising people to stay 2m (6ft) away from anyone they don't live with. However, there are some differences:
How long should I self-isolate?How long should I self-isolate?
Self-isolating means staying at home and not leaving it.Self-isolating means staying at home and not leaving it.
People who have symptoms of coronavirus should isolate themselves for 10 days and arrange to get tested. Symptoms include:People who have symptoms of coronavirus should isolate themselves for 10 days and arrange to get tested. Symptoms include:
Other members of their household should isolate for 14 days and not leave their homes.Other members of their household should isolate for 14 days and not leave their homes.
If you test positive you will be contacted by contact tracers, who will establish who else you might have passed on the infection to.If you test positive you will be contacted by contact tracers, who will establish who else you might have passed on the infection to.
Anybody they deem to be at risk will have to isolate themselves for 14 days from the point of contact.Anybody they deem to be at risk will have to isolate themselves for 14 days from the point of contact.