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Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules? Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules?
(2 days later)
People in Northern Ireland and Scotland are 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. Social distancing is a key method of keeping people safe and preventing the spread of Covid-19.
What are the current rules on socialising? What do you need to know?
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. What is social distancing?
In Scotland, people are being told not to visit other households or other private indoor spaces. Social distancing means keeping a certain distance away from other people to lessen the risk of passing on - or catching - coronavirus.
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. Each UK nation has slightly different advice:
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. Social distancing is important because coronavirus is thought to spread mainly when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks, and transmits small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air.
Northern Ireland has also announced tougher rules. Social mixing of households is not allowed inside private homes - although there are some exemptions. These droplets can land in other people's mouths or noses nearby or may be inhaled into the lungs. It's also possible that you could be infected after touching a surface on which the droplets have landed.
The risks are far higher indoors than outdoors.
How can I meet other people safely?
Social distancing is a key element of meeting others safely.
The only people you do not need to socially distance from are:
Otherwise, when seeing anybody else you must:
How many people can I meet?
In all UK nations some areas have local restrictions in place. These may limit the number of people you can meet and where.
In areas without local restrictions, the rules differ.
In England, up to six people of any age from multiple households can meet indoors and outdoors.
In Scotland, people are being told not to visit other households or other private indoor spaces. In public indoor spaces six people from two households can meet. The same rule applies in outdoor spaces, including private gardens.
Outdoors, children aged 11 or under will be exempt from the headcount. Those aged 12 to 18 are 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 any people who do meet must be form an extended household. Children aged 10 and under do not count towards the total. Up to 30 people from different homes can still meet outside.
Social mixing of households is no longer allowed inside private homes in Northern Ireland - 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". However, people living alone in areas under local restrictions can now meet one other household indoors, Children aged 10 and under do not count in the total. Up to 30 people from different homes can still meet outside. Are there any exceptions?
What are the rules on mingling? Exceptions to social distancing rules in England include:
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". Weddings and civil partnerships, with up to 15 people attending in groups of six or less, and funerals, with up to 30, can go ahead.
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 can go to pubs, restaurants, shops, places of worship, a protest or other organised event, in groups of six or less, even though more people will be present.
People attending a protest, or other organised event, should also attend in groups no larger than six. However, these groups must stay separate and not mingle.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said two families of four stopping for a chat would be another example of mingling that broke the rules. What are the rules for sports?
Will any gatherings of more than six be allowed? Organised outdoor team sport and exercise classes are exempt from the six-person limit if Covid-secure guidelines are followed.
Exceptions allowed in England include: But organised indoor team sport with more than six people is no longer allowed, although there is an exemption for people with disabilities. Indoor exercise classes can, however, carry on with larger numbers present.
Only 15 people are allowed 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, 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.
However, across England all pubs, restaurants and hospitality venues 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.
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.
Group exercise classes are exempt from the rule of six, as long as they are organised under Covid-secure 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. The fine for a first offence is now £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 - £200 for a first offence, doubling on each further offence up to £6,400.
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:
How long should I self-isolate?
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:
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.
Anybody they deem to be at risk will have to isolate themselves for 14 days from the point of contact.