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Coronavirus: What are social distancing and lockdown rules? Coronavirus: What are social distancing and lockdown rules?
(5 days later)
With social distancing guidance in England changing to "one metre plus" from 4 July, how can you invite friends and family into your home safely? Social distancing guidance in England is changing to "1 metre plus" and pubs, restaurants and hotels can reopen.
Rules are different in each of the four UK nations. Rules are different in each UK nation - and rules will not ease in Leicester, which is currently under a local lockdown.
So who will I be able to have in my own home? What can I do differently at home?
Members of two households of any size can meet each other - either inside or outside - from Saturday 4 July in England. From Saturday, two households of any size can now meet inside in England.
You can meet different households at different times - and overnight stays are allowed - but no more than two households should meet at any one time. You can meet different households at different times and overnight stays are allowed.
Social distancing between people not in your household will still have to be observed - ideally at 2m (6ft), but at 1m if that's not possible. No more than two households should meet at any one time, and it is important that you don't see anyone if you have any coronavirus symptoms.
Many people won't have seen family or friends for weeks but Prof Alison Sinclair, from the University of Sussex, offers words of caution. But social distancing still applies with everyone you don't live with - even your grandchildren.
"The hardest but most important thing to do is to postpone the visit if anyone in either household has any Covid-19 symptoms." So for the time being, unless they are in your support bubble, you can't hug them.
You should ideally stay 2m (6ft) apart, but if that's not possible, follow the "1 metre plus" guidance - using "mitigation" such as face coverings and not sitting face-to-face.
Why is a support bubble different?
Social distancing does not have to be observed in a support bubble.
In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, single adults living alone - or single parents with children under 18 - can form a bubble with one other household of any size, and visit each other's homes. In Wales, from 6 July, two households of any size can join up in a similar "extended household".
Who should take extra care?
People with certain underlying health conditions, or who are pregnant or aged over 70, are deemed "clinically vulnerable". They can go out, but should still take particular care.
Those categorised as "clinically extremely vulnerable", or "shielders", can go outside for exercise and, from Monday 6 July, meet up to five other people outdoors while social distancing. They can also form a support bubble.
From 1 August, shielding in England will be "paused". The guidance in Northern Ireland is similar, but different in Wales and Scotland.
How do I make '1 metre plus' work at home?
Meet outside if possible, but if you do have to be inside remember the "plus" part of the new guidelines.
Breath droplets travel further when more force is used, so try not to cough, talk loudly or sing.
If necessary, rearrange seating to help reduce the virus spread.
Remember anyone can be infectious, even if they're not showing symptoms.
What about touching surfaces when I visit?
Avoid touching surfaces or your face.
Wash your hands regularly using soap and water or hand sanitiser.
If you're hosting, clean surfaces both before and after the meeting. Wear washing-up gloves if you can.
Put a cloth and bleach spray in the toilet. Ensure people wash their hands and disinfect any tap, loo seat or toilet handles they've touched.
Avoid close-contact family games.
Can I cook a meal for visitors?
Yes. Conversation at the table will pose the main risk of aerosol/droplet transmission.
So, if you eat inside, keep windows and doors open for ventilation.
Put crockery and cutlery in a dishwasher or hot soapy water (and then rinse in cold water) immediately after use.
Experts recommend the following:
What about a socially-distanced meal out?
From Saturday, pubs, restaurants and cafes can open indoors as long as they follow safety guidelines.
You should expect to:
Staff should practise good hand hygiene and social distancing, but they don't have to wear face coverings.
The government advice to employers includes:
Read the government guidelines for staff in pubs and restaurants and hotels and attractions.
What about the rest of the UK?What about the rest of the UK?
In Scotland, three households will be able to meet indoors from 10 July - while socially distancing. They can already meet outside. The five-mile travel limit in Scotland is expected to be lifted from 3 July. Northern Ireland:
In Northern Ireland, social distancing rules will change from 2m to 1m on Monday 29 June. Groups of up to six people not in the same household can now meet indoors while social distancing. Up to 10 people can meet outside. Scotland:
In Wales, any number of people from two different households can now meet outdoors observing social distancing - but meetings indoors are still not allowed. Families should aim to travel no more than five miles to meet. Wales:
How will I make 'one metre plus' work at home? What else is opening in England?
"If you can, you should meet and chat outside - even if you have to eat inside," says Prof Keith Neal, from the University of Nottingham. Hotels, B&Bs, cottages, campsites and caravan parks can reopen.
But if you do have to gather in your living room remember the "plus" part of the new one metre guidelines. You can also get a haircut, go to a place of worship for communal prayer or get married with up to 30 guests.
"Remember our breath travels further when there is more force to it - like when you cough, shout or sing," says Prof Sinclair. Read our at-a-glance guide.
"Rearranging the seating in your room to maximise the distance between guests can also help reduce virus spread by respiratory droplets in the air."
Prof Sally Bloomfield, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says people shouldn't become complacent.
"Don't be tempted to think 'It won't happen to me - I won't bother'' Remember anyone can be infected and infectious, but not be showing any symptoms.
"So think of it like buckling up your car seat belt - just do it anyway."
What about touching surfaces?
Everyone should regularly wash their hands using soap and water - or hand sanitiser.
When you meet up, avoid touching surfaces or your face.
If you are the host, you should clean surfaces both before and after the meeting "wearing a pair of washing-up gloves", says Prof Sinclair. "That should remove any respiratory droplets."
Put a cloth and bleach spray in the toilet as well.
"Ask people to wash their hands, then disinfect any tap, loo seat or toilet handles they have touched," advises Prof Bloomfield. "As the host you should disinfect any 'frequent touch' surfaces after your guests leave."
She also says people should be inventive when it comes to family games - and avoid those with close contact, such as football and paddling pools.
What about eating together?
If you have to eat inside, the main risk will be aerosol/droplet transmission at the table during conversation - so remember to keep windows and doors open to increase ventilation.
Three of the four experts we have spoken to, say there's no need for guests to bring their own crockery and cutlery - but advise that everything should all be put in a dishwasher or a bowl of hot soapy water (and then rinsed in cold water) immediately after use.
But our fourth expert, Dr Julian Tang, from the University of Leicester, says to reduce transmission risk guests could be asked to bring their own plates, knives and forks - which they would then take home to wash.
"They could also bring their own salt and pepper, plus ketchup and vinegar, in their own containers," he adds.
The experts we have spoken to offer the following advice:
What is a support bubble?
In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, single adults living alone - or single parents with children under 18 - can form an "exclusive" support bubble with one other household. They can visit each other's homes and not observe social distancing.
Wales is expected to make a decision on social bubbles in the next few weeks.
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.
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".
"Shielders" in England can now go outside for daily exercise and, from 6 July, will also be to meet up to five other people outdoors while social distancing. They will also be allowed to form a support bubble. It is hoped that from 1 August they will be able to stop shielding. The guidance in Northern Ireland is similar.
In Wales, those shielding can now exercise close to home. There are similar rules in Scotland.
What if I have symptoms?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 self-isolate.
You should self-isolate - stay at home and not leave it for any reason. Ask others to drop off food and medicines. Stay at home and ask others to drop off food and medicines.
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. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have similar tracing systems.
The people you live with don't have to self-isolate, but must take extra care regarding social distancing and hand washing.
There are similar tracing systems in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.