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Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation? Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation?
(about 16 hours later)
Everybody in the UK has been asked to stop non-essential contact, but most people are still allowed to go outside as long as they stay more than 2m (6.5ft) apart. The government says it is prepared to take "more action" if people do not follow its advice to limit the spread of coronavirus when they have to leave their homes.
Cafes, pubs, restaurants, nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres are all closing. Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC that some people's behaviour was "very selfish".
The move is part of the UK's social distancing measures to minimise non-essential contact. What should I be doing?
It follows people with flu-like symptoms - such as dry cough and high temperature - being asked to self-isolate at home to avoid infecting others. Everybody in the UK has been asked to stop non-essential contact and stay at home wherever possible. If people do go outside - to buy food for example - they must stay more than 2m (6.5ft) apart from others.
To prevent people getting too close, cafes, pubs, restaurants, nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres are all closing.
The move is part of the UK's social distancing measures to minimise non-essential contact. By keeping a safe distance from other people, it becomes much harder for the disease to spread.
It follows people with flu-like symptoms - such as a dry cough and high temperature - being asked to self-isolate at home to avoid infecting others.
Can I go for a walk on a sunny day?Can I go for a walk on a sunny day?
Yes. Public Health England says: "You can go for a walk or exercise outside if you stay more than 2m from others." Even though people are being urged to stay at home, Mr Hancock says "it is important that people get exercise, but they should do it staying away from others".
But in many crowded parks or beauty spots it would be difficult to stay the necessary distance apart. Public Health England (PHE) says: "You can go for a walk or exercise outside if you stay more than 2m from others."
Some parks in London are being closed as the numbers of visitors means people are unable to maintain safe distances. Car parks and trails in Snowdonia may also close as many people have attempted to go walking. The National Trust has also been closing parks and gardens. However, in many crowded parks or beauty spots it would be difficult to stay the necessary distance apart, so some authorities have taken action.
Dr Robin Thompson, Junior Research Fellow in Mathematical Epidemiology at the University of Oxford, says: "The key thing is to exercise while minimising contacts. Local footpaths are likely to be less crowded than walks through major parks." London's Hammersmith and Fulham Council has shut all parks across the borough and other parks across the capital are being closed.
Elsewhere, car parks and trails in Snowdonia may also close as many people have gone walking there. The National Trust has also been closing parks and gardens.
Dr Robin Thompson, from the University of Oxford, says: "The key thing is to exercise while minimising contacts. Local footpaths are likely to be less crowded than walks through major parks."
Why is social distancing necessary?Why is social distancing necessary?
Social distancing is important because coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air. These can be breathed in, or cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, then your eyes, nose or mouth. Social distancing is important because coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air. These can be breathed in, or can cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, and then touch your face with unwashed hands.
The less time people spend together, the less chance there is of this happening.The less time people spend together, the less chance there is of this happening.
Everyone is now being told to follow social distancing measures, especially the over-70s, pregnant women and adults normally eligible for a flu jab.Everyone is now being told to follow social distancing measures, especially the over-70s, pregnant women and adults normally eligible for a flu jab.
How to do social distancingHow to do social distancing
What am I allowed to do when social distancing?What am I allowed to do when social distancing?
What is self-isolation?What is self-isolation?
Self-isolating means staying at home and not leaving it, other than for exercise. Don't go to work, school or public areas during this time.Self-isolating means staying at home and not leaving it, other than for exercise. Don't go to work, school or public areas during this time.
If possible, you should not go out even to buy food or other essentials. If you are unable to get supplies delivered, you should do what you can to limit social contact when you do leave the house.If possible, you should not go out even to buy food or other essentials. If you are unable to get supplies delivered, you should do what you can to limit social contact when you do leave the house.
Who should self-isolate?Who should self-isolate?
Everyone who shows coronavirus symptoms - a fever of above 37.8C, a persistent cough or breathing problem - and everyone who lives in the same house or flat as someone with symptoms.Everyone who shows coronavirus symptoms - a fever of above 37.8C, a persistent cough or breathing problem - and everyone who lives in the same house or flat as someone with symptoms.
The person with the symptoms should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened, and keep away from other people in the home.The person with the symptoms should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened, and keep away from other people in the home.
People are being advised not to ring NHS 111 or their GP to report their symptoms unless they are worried.People are being advised not to ring NHS 111 or their GP to report their symptoms unless they are worried.
Who shouldn't go out at all?Who shouldn't go out at all?
About 1.5 million people with very serious health conditions will be contacted by the NHS and urged not go out at all for at least 12 weeks. This is being referred to as shielding.About 1.5 million people with very serious health conditions will be contacted by the NHS and urged not go out at all for at least 12 weeks. This is being referred to as shielding.
Others in the same household, and carers, can go out as long they observe proper social distancing.Others in the same household, and carers, can go out as long they observe proper social distancing.
The most vulnerable group includes:The most vulnerable group includes:
They will be contacted with advice on how to manage their self-isolation, including getting supplies of essential food and medicines.They will be contacted with advice on how to manage their self-isolation, including getting supplies of essential food and medicines.
The government says it will work with local authorities, supermarkets and the armed forces to ensure this happens.The government says it will work with local authorities, supermarkets and the armed forces to ensure this happens.
What happens if you have a vulnerable person living with you during self-isolation?What happens if you have a vulnerable person living with you during self-isolation?
You should keep at least 2m away from a vulnerable person (such as pregnant women, the elderly or those with an underlying health condition) during any period of isolation, according to PHE.You should keep at least 2m away from a vulnerable person (such as pregnant women, the elderly or those with an underlying health condition) during any period of isolation, according to PHE.
Limit time spent together in shared spaces, like kitchens, and keep all rooms well-ventilated. If they can, the vulnerable person should take their meals back to their room to eat.Limit time spent together in shared spaces, like kitchens, and keep all rooms well-ventilated. If they can, the vulnerable person should take their meals back to their room to eat.
A vulnerable person should also use separate towels from the rest of the household. If possible, they should use a separate bathroom. If that is not possible, the bathroom should be cleaned every time it's used (for example, wiping surfaces with which you have come into contact).A vulnerable person should also use separate towels from the rest of the household. If possible, they should use a separate bathroom. If that is not possible, the bathroom should be cleaned every time it's used (for example, wiping surfaces with which you have come into contact).
People living with someone in isolation should wash their hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds - especially after coming into contact with them.People living with someone in isolation should wash their hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds - especially after coming into contact with them.
Personal waste (like tissues) should be double-bagged and put aside for 72 hours before being put in your outside bin.Personal waste (like tissues) should be double-bagged and put aside for 72 hours before being put in your outside bin.