Coronavirus: What are the latest lockdown rules in the UK nations?
With national government able to set their own rules it can be hard to keep up - but here's the current state of play.
Friday 31 July 2020 18:25, UK
Boris Johnson says he is squeezing "the brake pedal" on the loosening of lockdown restrictions in England after a rise in cases in some areas and concerns that the R number may be above 1.
The UK nations make their own decisions on coronavirus restrictions - so how do things stand in each country?
ENGLAND
Changes just announced:
- Face masks to become mandatory in most public indoor settings from 8 August, such as museums, cinemas and places of worship
- Casinos, bowling alleys and skating rinks reopening pushed from 1 August to 15 August at the earliest
- Wedding receptions for up to 30 people also delayed from planned date of 1 August until further notice
- Plans to allow limited numbers of people into theatres and sport stadiums also put on hold
Northwest England:
- People in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire banned from meeting others from different households in homes or private gardens (except where there's a support bubble)
- Socialising with people from other households in indoor public places such as pubs, restaurants, shops and places of worship should also be avoided
- Care homes should not be visited
Leicester:
- Remaining restrictions to be lifted from 3 August to come into line with rest of England
- For example, restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels, gyms, hairdressers - currently forced to shut after a flare-up in the area - can reopen
Luton:
- Similar to the above, national lockdown guidance to apply from 1 August after temporary measures were imposed in the town
Things you can still do:
- Travel with a mandatory face covering or mask on public transport
- Visit businesses such as hairdressers, tattooists, spas, tanning salons, and all shops - with a face mask
- Go to pubs and restaurants outside and inside while - as ever - observing social distancing
- Use outdoor pools and indoor gyms
- Gather in groups of up to six people in public or private outdoor spaces
- Form a "support bubble" with one other household - meeting inside and staying overnight - if they live alone or are a single parent with a child under 18
- Go on foreign holidays to dozens of countries on a government list without having 14 days' quarantine when you get back
SCOTLAND
Changes just announced:
- The Scottish government has advised against all but essential travel to virus hotspots in northern England
Things you can still do:
- Outdoors, you can meet in groups of up to 15, from up to five different households, observing the two-metre rule
- Indoors, eight people from three different households can meet. That includes the household where the gathering is taking place - again social distancing must be adhered to
- A household can meet up to four other households per day in total - whether indoors or outdoors
- The limit on the number of other households you can meet per day doesn't apply to people under 18
- Visit all shops while wearing a face mask or covering (staff must also wear one)
- Go to pubs, cafes and restaurants - inside and outside
- Use public transport with a face covering
- Go on holiday; both domestically and abroad without 14 days' quarantine if the country is on an approved list
- Get married or have a civil partnership ceremony - but limited to 20 people
Still shut:
- Gyms, pools and indoor sport courts - but could reopen on 14 September
WALES
Changes coming in:
- Pubs, restaurants and cafes can open indoors - with careful hygiene measures and social distancing - as well as wedding venues, bowling alleys and bingo halls (3 August)
- Up to 30 people can meet outdoors with social distancing - from any number of households (3 August)
- Children under 11 won't have to social distance anymore (3 August)
- Pools, gyms, leisure centres and indoor play areas to reopen (10 August)
Things you can still do:
- Two households can form an extended household - with no limit on the number of people; meaning they can meet indoors, have physical contact and stay in each other's homes
- Pubs, cafes and restaurants can serve people outdoors on tables only - changes on 3 August
- Visit all shops if social distancing is possible, and go to attractions such as cinemas and museums
- Use public transport with a face covering or mask
- Workout at outdoor gyms, and allow children to use playgrounds
- Go on holiday and use hotels, campsites and B&Bs; foreign trips are also permitted but subject to possible quarantine if the country isn't on the 'safe' list
NORTHERN IRELAND
Changes coming in:
- Certain school year groups to return (24 August), with teaching staff back a week before
- Soft play areas pencilled in to reopen on 7 August - but still to be confirmed
Things you can still do:
- Ten people can meet indoors from up to four different households
- Meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
- Visit all shops - face coverings or masks are encouraged but not mandatory
- Use public transport while wearing a face covering
- Visit venues such as pools, spas and gyms, leisure centres, cinemas, museums bowling alleys and bingo halls
- Use cafes, pubs and restaurants
- Go on holiday domestically and abroad - without 14-day quarantine on your return if the country is on the 'safe list'