This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518

The article has changed 49 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 21 Version 22
Lockdown update: All you need to know about new measures Lockdown update: All you need to know about new measures
(about 3 hours later)
Lockdown measures have been eased across England after more than seven weeks of restrictions - but how could everyday life change? Lockdown measures have been eased across England after more than seven weeks of restrictions - but how is everyday life changing?
Can I meet friends and relatives?Can I meet friends and relatives?
Two people from different households in England can meet in outdoor settings, such as parks. The government scientific advice is that they remain 2m (6ft) apart. You can meet one other person from another household, outdoors. The government scientific advice is that you remain 2m (6ft) apart.
The government has said it will impose higher fines for people who break social distancing rules by gathering in larger groups. You can't visit friends or relatives in their houses or indoors. Nor can you gather in a larger group with people who are not from your household (apart from a few exceptions, such as funerals). Higher fines will be imposed for anyone who breaks these rules.
Can I exercise more?Can I exercise more?
The rules have been relaxed so people in England can now spend more time outdoors "for leisure purposes". That includes sunbathing. There is no longer any limit to the amount of exercise, or "open-air recreation" (such as sunbathing) you can do outside in England.
There is no limit to the amount of exercise allowed. You can play outdoor sports such as golf or tennis with members of your household or with one other person from another household (while maintaining social distance).
Activities such as golf, angling and tennis are permitted, but only alone, with members of your household or with one other person from another household. If you do exercise with someone you don't live with, remember social distancing rules still apply. Households can also drive any distance in England to destinations such as parks and beaches. But they should not travel to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, where people are still being told to avoid any non-essential travel.
Playgrounds and outdoor gyms, where there is a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces, remain shut. Why are rules different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Households are also able to drive to other destinations in England - such as parks and beaches. But they should not travel to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, where people are still being told to avoid any travel which is not essential. Decisions on easing lockdown in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of each national government.
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. However, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that some lockdown measures could begin to be lifted in the country from 28 May. This would allow people to meet someone from another household outside, if social distancing is maintained, and the return of some outdoor activities like golf and fishing.
Meanwhile, it's hoped that cultural and sporting events in England can take place behind closed doors for broadcast from 1 June. You can read more details about each country here:
Should I go back to my workplace and how will I get there? Should I go back to work (and how will I get there)?
People who can work from home in England should continue to do so "for the foreseeable future".People who can work from home in England should continue to do so "for the foreseeable future".
But the government says those who can't work from home should travel to their work if it is open. However, they should avoid public transport for social distancing reasons - and walk, cycle or drive if at all possible. But the government says those who can't, should travel to their workplace if it is open - and walk, cycle or drive if at all possible, to prevent overcrowding on public transport.
Those who do use public transport are being told to expect social-distance queuing and to wear face coverings. Those who do use buses or trains are being told to expect social-distance queuing and to wear face coverings.
Sectors "allowed to be open, should be open", the government adds. These include food production, construction and manufacturing. Workplaces should be made safe for staff, with more cleaning, staggered working shifts and, for office workers, no hot-desking.
Workplaces should follow new guidance on making them safe for staff. This includes frequent cleaning of surfaces and equipment, staggering arrival and departure times and, for office workers, holding meetings remotely and avoiding the use of hot desks.
The issue of how businesses can secure personal protective equipment without competing with the NHS has raised concerns.
What if I go into other people's homes to work?What if I go into other people's homes to work?
If you're a cleaner or plumber - and need to enter someone else's home for your job - you are allowed to return to work. If you're a cleaner or plumber, and need to enter someone else's home for your job, you are allowed to return to work.
Employers have a duty to reduce workplace risk to "the lowest reasonably practicable level". No work should be carried out in the home of someone shielding or isolating because of Covid-19 symptoms, unless it's a household emergency.
Unless there is a direct risk to household safety, no work should be carried out in the home of someone shielding or isolating because of Covid-19 symptoms. In homes where someone is clinically vulnerable - for example, where a person is aged over 70 - face-to-face contact should be avoided, and strict hygiene rules followed.
In homes where someone is clinically vulnerable - for example, where there is a person aged over 70 - face-to-face contact should be avoided, and strict hygiene rules followed.
Can I move home?Can I move home?
House moves and viewings can resume again in England.House moves and viewings can resume again in England.
Potential buyers and renters will be able to visit show homes and view houses on the market to let or buy.Potential buyers and renters will be able to visit show homes and view houses on the market to let or buy.
Moving home will also be allowed again, as will visiting letting and estate agents. Anyone who has already bought a new home can visit it to prepare for moving in.
Anyone who has already bought a new home can visit it to prepare it for moving in.
What about childminders, nannies and nurseries?What about childminders, nannies and nurseries?
After initial confusion, childminders and nannies in England have now been told they can return to work - but only if they're caring for youngsters who come from the same household. Childminders and nannies in England have now been told they can return to work - but only if they're caring for youngsters who come from the same household.
During lockdown, registered childminders have either been closed or providing care for vulnerable children or children of key workers.During lockdown, registered childminders have either been closed or providing care for vulnerable children or children of key workers.
Pre-school nurseries in England are expected to start reopening from 1 June. The government has said it would like pre-school nurseries in England to start reopening from 1 June.
When will schools and universities return?When will schools and universities return?
Primary school Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes are expected to reopen from 1 June in England. The government's ambition is for all primary school children in England to return to school before the summer for a month if feasible.
It's so the youngest children, and those preparing for the transition to secondary school, have maximum time with teachers. It hopes that pupils in Reception and Years 1 and 6 will return from 1 June, but teachers' unions are calling for scientific evidence that schools will be safe to reopen.
The government says its ambition is for all primary school children to return to school before the summer for a month if feasible - but to support social distancing there will be class sizes of no more than 15 pupils. Class sizes are expected to be no more than 15 pupils, with staggered breaks and frequent hand washing.
Also from June, it says secondary schools and further education colleges should prepare for face-to-face contact with Year 10 and 12 pupils who have key exams next year, in addition to their "continued remote, home learning". The government says secondary schools and further education colleges should prepare for face-to-face contact with Year 10 and 12 pupils who have key exams next year, in addition to their "continued remote, home learning".
Teachers' unions have called for "clear, scientific published evidence" that schools are safe to re-open. Meanwhile, there is uncertainty over whether students will be able to go to university in person in September or whether they will be taught partially or completely online. The university watchdog says new students must be told with "absolute clarity" how they will be taught before accepting a place.
Meanwhile, there is uncertainty over whether students will be able to go to university in person in September or whether they will be taught partially or completely online.
When can I go High Street shopping again?When can I go High Street shopping again?
From 1 June at the earliest, but only if the government's five tests to ease restrictions are met. Non-essential retailers will be able to open in phases if they can follow the social distancing guidelines. Some non-essential retailers will be able to open in phases from 1 June if they can follow social distancing guidelines.
Hospitality and personal care venues, such as hairdressers, will not be allowed to open at this stage, because there is a higher risk of virus transmission. Garden centres have now reopened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but a decision is still awaited in Scotland
Garden centres in Wales are already back open and they can now re-open in England too. A decision is awaited in Scotland, while garden centres can reopen from 18 May in Northern Ireland. DIY chains - some of whom stayed open throughout the lockdown - have also reopened many of their stores.
Some DIY stores have already reopened - but they are accepting card payments only and have shorter trading hours.
What about hairdressers, pubs and cafes?What about hairdressers, pubs and cafes?
On 4 July at the earliest, if the five tests to ease restrictions are met. Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels, cinemas and places of worship will open from 4 July at the earliest, as long as they can meet social distancing measures.
From then some remaining businesses - including pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels, cinemas and places of worship - can open, as long as they can meet social distancing measures. However, indoor public spaces such as beauty salons, where social distancing may be difficult, could reopen ''significantly later", depending on when the rate of infection goes down.
There will be exceptions for indoor public spaces where people will struggle to practise social distancing, such as beauty salons. These may only be able to open ''significantly later", depending on when the rate of infection goes down.
What about flying into and out of the UK?What about flying into and out of the UK?
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told ITV's This Morning programme that "big, lavish international holidays" were unlikely this summer. The Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential journeys, and the government has now said a two-week quarantine period for people arriving in the UK will be introduced "as soon as possible".
The Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential journeys.
The government says a two-week quarantine period for people arriving in the UK will be introduced "as soon as possible".
There will be some exemptions for people arriving from the Republic of Ireland as part of the Common Travel Area.There will be some exemptions for people arriving from the Republic of Ireland as part of the Common Travel Area.
The government initially said, in a separate statement, that travellers from France would be exempt, too. However, on 15 May, the government insisted the quarantine measures would also apply to travellers from France.
If international travellers cannot say where they plan to self-isolate for 14 days, they will have to do so in accommodation arranged by the government.If international travellers cannot say where they plan to self-isolate for 14 days, they will have to do so in accommodation arranged by the government.
All passengers are advised to remain 2m (6ft) apart wherever possible. They should also consider wearing gloves and a face covering - which some UK airports and airlines have made compulsory.All passengers are advised to remain 2m (6ft) apart wherever possible. They should also consider wearing gloves and a face covering - which some UK airports and airlines have made compulsory.
Content available only in the UKContent available only in the UK