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Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules? Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules?
(14 days later)
Social distancing means keeping apart from people to restrict the spread of coronavirus.Social distancing means keeping apart from people to restrict the spread of coronavirus.
Rules and guidance have been relaxed across some parts of the UK, but some restrictions have now been reintroduced in parts of northern England and also in Leicester. Rules and guidance have been relaxed across some parts of the UK, but there are some restrictions in Aberdeen, parts of northern England and Leicester.
What is social distancing? What is social distancing and who is exempt?
The original rule across the UK was that you had to stay 2m (6ft) away from anybody who was not a member of your household. The original rule across the UK was that you had to stay 2m (6ft) away from anybody outside of your household.
Those rules have now been relaxed in England and Northern ireland. Those rules have now been relaxed in England and Northern Ireland.
You should still ideally stay 2m (6ft) apart. If that's not possible, you can stay 1m (3ft) plus apart in England and 1m apart in Northern Ireland, with extra precautions such as face coverings and not sitting face-to-face. You should still ideally stay 2m (6ft) apart. If that's not possible, you can stay 1m (3ft) plus apart in England - and 1m apart in Northern Ireland - with extra precautions such as face coverings and not sitting face-to-face.
In Scotland the exemptions to the 2m rule are only in some premises such as pubs and restaurants, and face coverings are compulsory in shops. In Scotland the exemptions to the 2m rule only apply in some premises like pubs and restaurants - and face coverings are compulsory in shops. Also, children aged 11 or under no longer have to socially distance with others outside.
And in Wales, while the 2m rule remains, the guidance is changing to reflect the fact that it is not realistic to stay that far apart in somewhere like a hairdresser's shop. In Wales, while the 2m rule remains, the guidance has changed to reflect the fact it is not realistic to stay that far apart in somewhere like a hairdresser's. Social distancing does not have to be observed by children aged under 11 in Wales.
The only people you do not have to distance yourself from are those you live with, and those you have linked to in a support bubble. But what about support bubbles?
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, two households of any size can now join up in a similar "extended household". The only people you do not have to distance yourself from are those you live with or people in your support bubble.
Also, in Scotland, children aged 11 or under no longer have to socially distance with others outside. This will also be the case in Wales from 3 August. Support bubbles are allowed in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. They apply only to single adults living alone or single parents with children under 18. Those people can "bubble" with one other household of any size, and visit each other's homes with no social distancing.
In Wales, two households (four from 22 August) of any size can now join up in a similar "extended household".
So, if you are not in a bubble or extended household, you should still observe social distancing with other people who may visit you at home.
Who can I meet outside?Who can I meet outside?
Outdoors in England, up to 30 people from two households can meet, or a maximum of six people can meet from multiple households.Outdoors in England, up to 30 people from two households can meet, or a maximum of six people can meet from multiple households.
People from different households must maintain social distancing throughout. Social distancing between different households must be observed throughout.
In Scotland, up to 15 people from five different households can meet outdoors.In Scotland, up to 15 people from five different households can meet outdoors.
In Northern Ireland, up to 30 people who are not in the same household can meet outdoors.In Northern Ireland, up to 30 people who are not in the same household can meet outdoors.
In Wales, up to 30 people can meet outdoors from 3 August. In Wales, up to 30 people can now meet outdoors.
What are the new restrictions in parts of England? Where are stricter rules in place?
On 31 July, restrictions were reintroduced for Greater Manchester, east Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire. There are tighter coronavirus restrictions in parts of northern England, Leicester and Aberdeen
People from separate households in these areas are not allowed to mix with each other in their homes or gardens, or in pubs and restaurants. People from separate households are not allowed to mix with each other in homes or gardens.
People will only be able to visit such hospitality venues with members of their own household. How do I host guests safely in my home?
In Leicester, where a local lockdown has been in force for several weeks, restrictions are also in place on household visits.
However, from 3 August pubs and restaurants in the city will be allowed to reopen.
How do I safely host guests in my home?
In England, two households up to a maximum of 30 people can meet indoors and overnight stays are allowed.In England, two households up to a maximum of 30 people can meet indoors and overnight stays are allowed.
In Scotland, up to eight people from three different households can meet indoors while social distancing. In Northern Ireland, groups of up to 10 people from four different households can meet indoors. In Scotland, up to eight people from three different households can meet indoors while social distancing.
In Wales, indoor meetings are still not allowed, but with indoor bars and restaurants due to reopen in August that will presumably be relaxed. In Northern Ireland, groups of up to 10 people from four different households can meet indoors.
The guidance encourages people to keep windows and doors open for ventilation. In Wales, up to four households - up from two - will be able to form an "extended household" from 22 August, as long as conditions "remain stable".
When people you don't live with enter your home you should try to keep windows and doors open for ventilation.
If you have guests coming for a meal, put crockery and cutlery in a dishwasher or hot soapy water (and then rinse in cold water) immediately after use.If you have guests coming for a meal, put crockery and cutlery in a dishwasher or hot soapy water (and then rinse in cold water) immediately after use.
Experts recommend the following: Experts recommend:
What about a socially-distanced meal out?What about a socially-distanced meal out?
Pubs, restaurants and cafes have been able to reopen indoors in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as long as they follow safety guidelines. Pubs, restaurants and cafes have reopened indoors across the UK - but they must follow safety guidelines.
In Wales, beer gardens and outdoor restaurants are open, and can open indoors from 3 August.
You should expect to:You should expect to:
Staff should practise good hand hygiene and social distancing, but they don't have to wear face coverings.Staff should practise good hand hygiene and social distancing, but they don't have to wear face coverings.
The government advice to employers includes:The government advice to employers includes:
Read the government guidelines for staff in pubs and restaurants and hotels and attractions. Read the official hospitality guidance for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Indoor parts of pubs and restaurants will reopen in Scotland on 15 July, while in Wales they can open outdoors from 13 July and indoors from 3 August.
How long should I self-isolate?How long should I self-isolate?
Self-isolating means staying at home and not leaving it.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: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.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.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.Anybody they deem to be at risk will have to isolate themselves for 14 days from the point of contact.
Until recently, those categorised as "clinically extremely vulnerable" have also been self-isolating or shielding.Until recently, those categorised as "clinically extremely vulnerable" have also been self-isolating or shielding.
Shielding is being paused in Northern Ireland from 31 July and in England and Scotland from 1 August. Wales is expected to follow suit in mid-August. Shielding was paused in Northern Ireland from 31 July and in England and Scotland from 1 August. Wales is expected to follow suit in mid-August.