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Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules? Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules?
(2 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 there are some restrictions in Aberdeen, parts of northern England and 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 and who is exempt?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 outside 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 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.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.
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.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.
But what about support bubbles?But what about support bubbles?
The only people you do not have to distance yourself from are those you live with or people in your support bubble.The only people you do not have to distance yourself from are those you live with or people in your support bubble.
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.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".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.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.
Social distancing between different households must be observed 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 now meet outdoors.In Wales, up to 30 people can now meet outdoors.
Where are stricter rules in place?Where are stricter rules in place?
There are tighter coronavirus restrictions in parts of northern England, Leicester and AberdeenThere are tighter coronavirus restrictions in parts of northern England, Leicester and Aberdeen
People from separate households are not allowed to mix with each other in homes or gardens.People from separate households are not allowed to mix with each other in homes or gardens.
How do I host guests safely in my home?How do I host guests safely 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 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 Northern Ireland, groups of up to 10 people from four different households can meet indoors.
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".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.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:Experts recommend:
What about a socially-distanced meal out? What about a socially distanced meal out?
Pubs, restaurants and cafes have reopened indoors across the UK - but they must follow safety guidelines.Pubs, restaurants and cafes have reopened indoors across the UK - but they must follow safety guidelines.
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 official hospitality guidance for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.Read the official hospitality guidance for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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 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. Shielding was paused in Northern Ireland from 31 July; in England and Scotland from 1 August, and in Wales on 16 August.