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Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules? Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules?
(6 days later)
Individuals in England are now allowed to meet with one other person from outside their household if they stay outdoors. They will also be able to take part in more outdoor activities and exercise as much as they want. Individuals in England are now allowed to meet with one other person from outside their household if they stay outdoors. They can also take part in more outdoor activities and exercise as much as they want.
However, people will still need to follow social distancing guidance by keeping more than 2m (6ft) apart from anyone they don't live with. However, people still need to follow social distancing guidance by keeping more than 2m (6ft) apart from anyone they don't live with.
It's part of the government's ''careful steps'' to ease lockdown measures for England.It's part of the government's ''careful steps'' to ease lockdown measures for England.
Who am I allowed to meet?Who am I allowed to meet?
The new guidelines allow one person to meet one other person from outside their household outdoors. Government advice is that they stay more than 2m apart. They can also play a non-contact sport together outdoors, such as tennis, if they stay distanced. The guidelines in England allow for one person to meet someone from outside their household outdoors, if they stay more than 2m apart.
This easing only applies to two individuals from separate households, so, for example, someone wouldn't be allowed to meet both their parents together. It means, for example, they could have a picnic in the park, or play a non-contact sport, provided they observe social distancing.
It also means that having a barbecue in your garden for friends would not be allowed, even if you all stayed 2m apart. And you would not be able to invite people inside your home. This only applies to two individuals from separate households, so, for example, someone wouldn't be allowed to meet both their parents together.
It also means that having a barbecue in your garden for friends would not be allowed, even if you all stayed 2m apart. And you are not able to invite people inside your home.
However, anyone who is shielding and has been asked to stay at home should continue to do so.However, anyone who is shielding and has been asked to stay at home should continue to do so.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), is investigating whether to allow two households to socialise with each other, provided neither side mixes with other groups - this is known as a ''social bubble''. This would allow more social contact, and allow households to share childcare, while hopefully limiting transmission.
The government is also looking at ways small weddings could be allowed to take place.
Wales has published its own ''traffic light'' system, setting out how restrictions could ease for different parts of society as scientific advice changes - but without a formal timeframe.
Can I exercise with other people?Can I exercise with other people?
People in England are allowed to spend more time outdoors, for example to have a picnic in the park, provided they observe social distancing. They can also exercise as much as they wish and play certain non contact sports like golf tennis or basketball with one other person from outside their household. People can now take unlimited exercise and play certain non contact sports like tennis, golf or basketball with one person from outside their household, if social distancing is maintained.
However, they are still unable to use areas like playgrounds and outdoor gyms where there is a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces.However, they are still unable to use areas like playgrounds and outdoor gyms where there is a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces.
People in England are free to drive as far as they like to outdoor open spaces. But they should not travel to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, or stay anywhere else overnight, including at a second home. People in England are free to drive as far as they like to outdoor open spaces. But they should not travel to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, or stay anywhere else overnight, including at a second home.
What could the next steps be?
The government is considering whether to allow two households to socialise with each other, provided neither side mixes with other groups.
Known as a ''social bubble'', this would allow more social contact, and an opportunity to share childcare, while hopefully limiting transmission.
It is also looking at ways small weddings could be allowed to take place.
This coronavirus appears to thrive in crowded, indoor spaces which is why pubs, restaurants and many workplaces remain closed and the public has been advised against using public transport.
But transmission of viruses is less likely when ''fresh'' air is involved - and that's usually when people are outside.
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.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.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.
Why does the virus spread less outdoors?
Analysis - Philippa Roxby, health reporter
For many reasons, the transmission of viruses is less likely when ''fresh'' air is involved - and that's usually when people are outside.
Research shows that this coronavirus thrives in crowded, indoor spaces which is why pubs, restaurants and many workplaces have been closed and the public has been advised against using public transport.
Outdoors, it's a different matter - and that's mainly to do with what we know about how the virus is spread.
Most scientists agree there are three main ways infections could happen:
When outdoors, we're much less likely to come into contact with an infected surface, while any tiny particles of virus (called aerosols) would be dispersed by fresh air.
So the main remaining danger comes from large droplets, and staying 2m (6ft) away from other people - as social distancing guidelines recommend - should overcome that.
There are also natural elements working in our favour outside - breezes, air currents, rain, wind - which all dilute the possibility of the virus particles being passed from one person and landing on another.
The latest government guidance suggests the virus is less likely to be passed on in well-ventilated buildings, too. People are advised to open windows and use fans to increase ventilation.
What is self-isolation?What is self-isolation?
If you show symptoms of coronavirus - such as a dry cough and high temperature - you must take extra precautions.If you show symptoms of coronavirus - such as a dry cough and high temperature - you must take extra precautions.
You should stay at home and not leave it for any reason. This is known as self-isolation.You should stay at home and not leave it for any reason. This is known as self-isolation.
You should not go out even to buy food or medicine, and should order these online, or ask someone to drop them off at your home. You should not go out even to buy food or medicine, and instead order these online, or ask someone to drop them off at your home.
You can use your garden, if you have one.You can use your garden, if you have one.
What about those who are clinically vulnerable?What about those who are clinically vulnerable?
The advice hasn't changed for those who have an underlying health condition which makes them "clinically extremely vulnerable" They are more likely to be seriously affected by coronavirus and should remain at home. The advice is different for those who have certain underlying health conditions, are pregnant or are over 70, making them clinically vulnerable.
To minimise the risk, friends or family should drop off food and medicine at the door, or it should be ordered online. GP appointments should be over the phone, or online. They are more likely to be seriously affected by coronavirus and should stay at home as much as possible, minimising contact with others if they go outside.
Those who have serious underling health conditions, are thought to be ''clinically extremely vulnerable'' and should remain ''shielding'' at home.
Food and medicine should be dropped off at the door, or ordered online. GP appointments should be over the phone, or online.
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.
People aged over 70 are advised to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household.