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Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules? Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules?
(10 days later)
Lockdown restrictions are gradually being eased across the UK, but the rules are different in each of the four nations. So, what sports can you play and who can you meet? England's lockdown restrictions are easing, with changes aimed at reducing loneliness among people who live alone.
What sports can I play now? Each of the four UK nations has different rules. So what can you do now?
The overall advice remains "stay at home" as much as possible. But some non-contact outdoor sport is allowed - although rules vary across the UK. What is a support bubble?
People in England can now exercise outside with up to five others from different households. In Scotland, people from two households, in groups of up to eight people, can exercise outside together. From Saturday, in England, single adults living alone - or single parents with children under 18 - can form an "exclusive" support bubble with one other household.
This means, for example, that having a kickabout with a football in the park is now allowed in both countries, as long as people stay 2m (6ft) apart and practise good hand hygiene. The second household can be of any size - but nobody who is shielding should join a bubble.
However, small-sided or full games with someone from outside your household are still not allowed because of the physical contact involved. People in each bubble can visit each other's homes and go inside.
Small groups of sports teams can also resume fitness sessions. They will not have to stay 2m (6ft) apart and can stay overnight.
Individual sports permitted in England, if social distancing guidelines are followed, include athletics, golf, horse riding and tennis, where doubles is also allowed with someone from outside your household. It means, for example, that a single grandparent could pair up with one of their children's households. An adult living alone could mix with their parents, or two single friends living apart could get together.
Tennis, can also be played in Scotland and Northern Ireland - but not yet in Wales. However, golf can be enjoyed everywhere. If anyone in the bubble develops coronavirus symptoms, everyone in both households must self-isolate.
How many people can I meet? If you don't live on your own, or with children under 18 only, then the rules haven't changed for you.
More than two people can now meet outside across the UK: How many people can I meet outdoors?
In England, groups of up to six people from different households can gather outside, in parks or private gardens.In England, groups of up to six people from different households can gather outside, in parks or private gardens.
In Scotland, two separate households - up to a maximum of eight people - can meet outdoors, ideally travelling no more than five miles. In Scotland, two separate households - up to a recommended maximum of eight people - can meet outdoors, ideally travelling no more than five miles.
In Wales, any number of people from two different households can meet each other outside. As in Scotland, families should aim to travel no more than five miles. Beauty spots remain closed.In Wales, any number of people from two different households can meet each other outside. As in Scotland, families should aim to travel no more than five miles. Beauty spots remain closed.
In Northern Ireland, groups of up to six people who do not live together can meet outdoors.In Northern Ireland, groups of up to six people who do not live together can meet outdoors.
Children are included in the headcount for groups meeting in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In all countries, children are included in the headcount and social distancing guidelines - remaining 2m (6ft) apart from each other - apply.
In Wales, two large families can meet - as long as each of them lives at a single address. What sports can I play now?
And remember, social distancing guidelines - with people from different households remaining 2m (6ft) apart from each other - still apply across the whole of the UK. People in England can exercise outside with up to five others from different households. In Scotland, people from two households, in groups of up to eight people, can exercise outside.
So having a kickabout with a football in the park is allowed in both countries, as long as people stay 2m (6ft) apart.
However, full games with someone from outside your household are still not allowed because of the physical contact involved.
Small groups of sports teams can also resume fitness sessions.
Individual sports permitted in England, with social distancing, include athletics, golf, horse riding and tennis, where doubles is also allowed with someone from outside your household.
Tennis, can also be played in Scotland and Northern Ireland - but not yet in Wales. However, golf can be enjoyed everywhere.
Can I host a barbecue?Can I host a barbecue?
Socially-distanced picnics and barbecues could also be possible for many people who want to see their friends and family. Socially-distanced picnics and barbecues could also be possible.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned people in England: "It remains the case that people should not spend time inside the homes of their friends and families, other than to access the garden or use the toilet."Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned people in England: "It remains the case that people should not spend time inside the homes of their friends and families, other than to access the garden or use the toilet."
Overnight stays are also still not permitted.
Hand washing and hygiene should remain a priority. If you use the toilet while visiting another home, you should clean any surfaces you have touched.Hand washing and hygiene should remain a priority. If you use the toilet while visiting another home, you should clean any surfaces you have touched.
Prof Chris Whitty, the UK government's chief medical adviser, said: "If you were to do something like a barbecue, remember that passing things from one person to another, if you haven't washed your hands, you can pass the virus that way."
The guidelines in Scotland say that for a barbecue, each household should bring their own food, cutlery and crockery.The guidelines in Scotland say that for a barbecue, each household should bring their own food, cutlery and crockery.
The rules in Wales so far say you can eat while out on a walk, run or cycle. But First Minister Mark Drakeford said allowing more people to meet was not "an invitation to go into a garden, have a few beers and start mixing in a way that potentially harms you or other people". In Wales, you can eat while out on a walk, run or cycle. But First Minister Mark Drakeford said allowing more people to meet was not an excuse for garden parties.
Who has to still stay at home?Who has to still stay at home?
People with certain underlying health conditions, or who are pregnant or aged over 70, are deemed to be clinically vulnerable. If you are in this category, you are advised to stay at home as much as possible and, if you do go out, take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household. People with certain underlying health conditions, or who are pregnant or aged over 70, are deemed to be clinically vulnerable. If you are in this category, you are advised to stay at home as much as possible.
There is another group of about 2.5 million people, categorised as clinically extremely vulnerable. These include people who have had organ transplants, cancer patients and those with severe respiratory conditions. Another group, of about 2.5 million people, is categorised as clinically extremely vulnerable.
This group had been strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid face-to-face contact - so called "shielding".This group had been strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid face-to-face contact - so called "shielding".
Now people in England and Wales are being told they can spend some time outdoors again, while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines. Now those people in England and Wales are being told they can spend some time outdoors again - either with members of their household, or by meeting someone else at a social distance.
It means those with families will be able to go out once a day with members of their household. People living alone can meet someone from another household while maintaining social distancing.
Why is social distancing necessary?Why is social distancing necessary?
Despite the easing of lockdown restrictions across the UK, scientists stress the need for people from different households to remain 2m (6ft) apart.
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.
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. Virus transmission is less likely when ''fresh'' air is involved - usually when people are outside.
But virus transmission is less likely when ''fresh'' air is involved - usually when people are outside. What if I have symptoms?
What is self-isolation and what if I have symptoms?
If you show symptoms of coronavirus - such as a dry cough, high temperature or loss of taste - you must take extra precautions.If you show symptoms of coronavirus - such as a dry cough, high temperature or loss of taste - 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 self-isolate - stay at home and not leave it for any reason. Ask others to drop off food and medicines.
You should not leave your property even to buy food or medicine, and instead order these online, or ask someone to drop them off at your home. If England's NHS Test and Trace team contact you because you've been close to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, you must self-isolate for up to 14 days - even if you feel fine.
If the NHS Test and Trace team in England gets in touch because you've been close to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, you will have to self-isolate for up to 14 days - even if you feel fine. The people you live with don't have to self-isolate, but must take extra care regarding social distancing and hand washing.
The people you live with don't have to self-isolate, but they must take extra care regarding social distancing and hand washing.
There are similar tracing systems in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.There are similar tracing systems in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.