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Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules? Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation rules?
(25 days later)
Social distancing means keeping apart from people to restrict the spread of coronavirus. The number of people allowed to meet socially is being reduced from 30 to six in England, amid a rise in coronavirus cases.
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 do the new rules mean and how will they be enforced?
What is social distancing and who is exempt? What are the new rules on socialising?
The original rule across the UK was that you had to stay 2m (6ft) away from anybody outside of your household. The new limit of six people will apply to social gatherings from Monday.
Those rules have now been relaxed in England and Northern Ireland. It will apply both indoors and outdoors, and to all ages.
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. Pubs, restaurants, shops and other venues will remain open, but people can only attend in groups of up to six. Venues should also allow for social distancing between groups.
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. Similarly, places of worship may remain open but with a limit of six people attending per group.
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. At present, the rules allow up to 30 people from two households, or six from multiple households, to meet outdoors.
But what about support bubbles? Current guidance says you should only socialise indoors with members of up to two households.
The only people you do not have to distance yourself from are those you live with or people in your support bubble. The number of people you can meet is different in other parts of the UK.
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. Can I be fined for breaking the rules?
In Wales, two households (four from 22 August) of any size can now join up in a similar "extended household". The new measures will mean groups larger than six can be broken up by police.
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. Members of the group can be fined if they fail to follow the rules. This will be £100 for a first offence, doubling on each further offence up to £3,200.
Who can I meet outside? The government says: "Putting the new, lower limit in law will make it easier for the police to identify and disperse illegal gatherings."
Outdoors in England, up to 30 people from two households can meet, or a maximum of six people can meet from multiple households. Will any social events of more than six be allowed?
Social distancing between different households must be observed throughout. Some gatherings of more than six people will be allowed, for example:
In Scotland, up to 15 people from five different households can meet outdoors. If you live in a household of more than six you can gather in public or private. However, you will not be able to join with anyone from outside of your household.
In Northern Ireland, up to 30 people who are not in the same household can meet outdoors. A full list will be published before the law changes on Monday.
In Wales, up to 30 people can now meet outdoors. What are the rules and guidance in other parts of the UK?
Where are stricter rules in place? If you are meeting outside, the number of people who can gather varies:
There are tighter coronavirus restrictions in parts of northern England, Leicester and Aberdeen There are also different rules for meetings indoors - at your home, or a venue like a pub:
People from separate households are not allowed to mix with each other in homes or gardens. What is the guidance on social distancing?
How do I host guests safely in my home? Each UK nation is advising people to stay 2m (6ft) away from anyone they don't live with. However, there are some differences:
In England, two households up to a maximum of 30 people can meet indoors and overnight stays are allowed. What about shopping or public transport?
In Scotland, up to eight people from three different households can meet indoors while social distancing. Face coverings are compulsory if you are using public transport across the UK.
In Northern Ireland, groups of up to 10 people from four different households can meet indoors. Some people are exempt, such as those with certain medical conditions.
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". Coverings must be worn in shops in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland - but not Wales.
When people you don't live with enter your home you should try to keep windows and doors open for ventilation. Shop workers are exempt.
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. What if I get symptoms?
Experts recommend: You should self-isolate by staying at home for 10 days and arrange to get tested.
What about a socially distanced meal out? The symptoms are:
Pubs, restaurants and cafes have reopened indoors across the UK - but they must follow safety guidelines. If your test is positive, you must complete the remainder of your 10-day self-isolation. Anyone you live with should self isolate for 14 days (from the time you started having symptoms).
You should expect to: Contact tracers will also get in touch with people with positive results.
Staff should practise good hand hygiene and social distancing, but they don't have to wear face coverings. What are the rules in local lockdown areas?
The government advice to employers includes: There are several local hotspots which have seen recent spikes in cases.
Read the official hospitality guidance for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Public Health England produces a weekly watchlist of areas of concern.
How long should I self-isolate? Parts of England and Scotland are currently experiencing local restrictions. In Wales, the county borough of Caerphilly is being placed under lockdown.
Self-isolating means staying at home and not leaving it. Do I have to social distance myself from everyone?
People who have symptoms of coronavirus should isolate themselves for 10 days and arrange to get tested. Symptoms include: The only people you do not have to distance yourself from are those you live with or, if you are in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland, people in your support bubble.
Other members of their household should isolate for 14 days and not leave their homes. Single adults living alone or single parents with children under 18 can "bubble" with one other household of any size with no social distancing.
If you test positive you will be contacted by contact tracers, who will establish who else you might have passed on the infection to. In Wales, you do not have to social distance if you are in an "extended household".
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.
Shielding was paused in Northern Ireland from 31 July; in England and Scotland from 1 August, and in Wales on 16 August.