What are the new Covid rules for the UK?

 

Tougher Covid restrictions have been introduced in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

There are currently no new measures planned for England, but the prime minister said his "can't rule out" further restrictions, and the health secretary urged people to "remain cautious".

What are the Covid rules in Scotland?

From 26 December, there are limits on the size of live public events for three weeks:

·  Indoors - 100 standing or 200 seated

· Outdoors - 500 seated or standing

This means the cancellation of many Hogmanay events, including Edinburgh's main celebrations.

Football matches will be effectively spectator-free, and non-professional indoor contact sports will stop. Life events like weddings are not affected.

From 27 December nightclubs will be closed for three weeks.

Pubs, bars, and other hospitality venues will return to table service only. One-metre (3ft) social distancing is advised in these settings, with no more than three households in each group.

Scots have been urged not to travel to England for New Year celebrations, where nightclubs remain open.

There is no travel ban currently in place to stop people going to England, but Deputy First Minister John Swinney said doing so would go against the "spirit" of Scotland's Covid measures many business listings.

Other restrictions include:

·  people asked to limit social contact to two other households on either side of Christmas - and to use lateral flow tests before meeting

·  shops and businesses to take measures to limit the spread of Covid

·care home visits limited to two households (who need to be tested)

·  employers have a legal duty to let staff work from home

·   face coverings compulsory on public transport and most indoor spaces

·  all over-18s required to prove their vaccine status or show a negative test at many venues

What are the Covid rules in Scotland?

What are the Covid rules in Wales?

From 26 December:

·  the social distancing of 2m (6ft) in all premises open to the public and workplaces, where reasonable

·  gatherings limited to six people in premises such as hospitality venues, cinemas, and theatres

·  licensed premises to take additional measures to protect customers and staff, including table service and collecting contact details

·face coverings required in hospitality settings, apart from when seated

·large events not allowed - with maximum numbers of 30 at an indoor event and 50 outdoors

· nightclubs must close

Large sporting events will be played behind closed doors. For smaller sporting events, up to 50 spectators are allowed. There is an exception for events involving children business listings.

Other measures include:

·NHS Covid Pass needed for entry to cinemas, theatres and concert halls, and many other events

· working from home wherever possible

·compulsory face coverings in schools, on public transport, and in shops and hospitals

· advice to wear masks in pubs and restaurants, when not eating or drinking

What are the full rules in Wales?

What are the Covid rules in Northern Ireland?

From 26 December:

·nightclubs are closed

· dancing in all hospitality venues is not allowed

· all indoor standing events are not allowed

From 27 December:

· hospitality venues including pubs, cafes, and restaurants can offer table service only

·in hospitality venues a maximum of six people (or 10 from a single household) allowed at a table (excluding children aged 12 and under)

· businesses must take measures to achieve 2m social distancing and limit the spread of Covid in office spaces

· businesses to promote the use of face coverings

These measures do not apply to weddings or civil partnership celebrations.

Household mixing should also be limited to a maximum of three households, the government says.

Other measures include:

· face coverings compulsory in shops, indoor-seated venues and visitor attractions, public transport, and some other settings

·  Post-primary pupils must wear a face-covering inside school buildings, as well as on school transport. Staff are encouraged to wear masks in school areas where they can't socially distance

· Covid passport scheme for venues including bars and cinemas

What are the Covid rules in England?

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said there will be no further Covid restrictions in England before the New Year, although he said people should "remain cautious," and recommended socializing outdoors wherever possible free business listings.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also urged people to test before meeting up with friends or family to celebrate the end of 2021.

Anyone who has yet to have their first, second, or booster jab should get it "without delay," he said, while those meeting indoors should continue to wear masks when required, and open windows to help improve ventilation.

People already need to show that they're vaccinated, have recently tested negative (or are exempt) to gain entry to nightclubs and many other venues.

Face coverings are compulsory in most indoor public venues, including theatres and cinemas - as well as on public transport and in places like shops and hairdressers. Masks are not needed in pubs or restaurants, or venues like gyms where it's "not practical".

People should work from home "if they can", and are advised to take lateral flow tests before entering any "high-risk setting", such as a crowded place.