Covid: What are the new rules in Wales, and the rest of the UK?

Wales will go into a two-week ''circuit-breaker'' from Friday evening, with people told to stay home where possible and non-essential businesses closed.

The announcement follows a rising number of Covid-19 cases and increasing hospital admissions.

From 18:00 on Friday 23 October until the start of Monday 9 November, Wales will go into a ''short, sharp'' circuit-break, a mini lockdown in which:

Adults living alone or single parents will be able to join with one other household for support from anywhere in Wales.

Every area of England now falls into one of three categories - medium (Tier 1), high (Tier 2) or very high (Tier 3), depending on the local rate of infection.

Areas in Tier 1 are subject to the basic national rules previously in force.

You may not meet in a group of more than six people, indoors or outdoors, unless you're in a larger household or a support bubble.

Pubs, bars and restaurants in a Tier 1 area must close by 22:00 BST.

The rules for Tier 1 also apply in Tier 2.

In addition, you are not allowed to meet socially with people you do not live with indoors - this includes private homes, as well as pubs or restaurants.

People in support bubbles can go on meeting as before and informal childcare may also be provided.

You can still meet friends and family outdoors, but only in a group of up to six people.

The areas to go into high alert restrictions this weekend are:

Areas with the most rapidly rising transmission rates are placed in Tier 3.

You are not allowed to meet socially with anybody who is not part of your household, or support bubble, indoors.

You cannot meet in private or pub gardens, but can meet in parks, beaches, countryside or forests, as long as you are not in a group of more than six.

Pubs and bars must close unless they are serving substantial meals. Alcohol can only be served as part of a meal.

People are being advised not to travel into or out of Tier 3 areas, other than for work, education, youth services or because of caring responsibilities.

Extra measures for Tier 3 areas can be introduced, following discussions between central and local government.

In the Liverpool City Region the following premises must close:

Lancashire enters Tier 3 from 00:01 on Saturday, and will face these additional restrictions from Monday 19 October:

Lancashire's infection rates are among the highest in the UK, the government says, with a rate of 552 per 100,000 people in the 16-29 age group.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said the area will "stand firm" against plans to move it into Tier 3, calling it a "flawed" and "unfair" policy.

Northern Ireland has introduced four weeks of restrictions. Schools have closed for a two-week extended half-term break and will reopen on 2 November.

Other measures include:

Because of higher levels of Covid infection, 3.4 million people in central Scotland are subject to tougher restrictions until 25 October.

The region affected covers 18 local council and five health board areas (Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian, Forth Valley).

In these areas, all licensed premises - with the exception of hotel bars for residents - have to close indoors and outdoors, though takeaways are permitted.

Cafes can stay open until 18:00 daily, as long as they don't serve alcohol.

People living in these areas have been told to avoid public transport, unless absolutely necessary, and not to leave their local areas if possible (people from outside are encouraged not to visit).

Other measures include the closing of snooker halls, bowling alleys, casinos and bingo halls, the suspension of non-professional contact sports and indoor group exercise for adults.

In the rest of Scotland, pubs and restaurants can only open inside between 06:00 and 18:00 daily until Sunday 25 October, and they are not allowed to serve alcohol.

They are only allowed to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks, although they can serve alcohol outdoors until 22:00.

Hotel restaurants can serve food after 18:00, but only for residents and without alcohol.

Throughout the nation, face coverings are compulsory in indoor communal settings, such as staff canteens and corridors in workplaces.