Covid: How the new rules in Wales, Scotland and England will work

Published: 1 hour ago

What are the new rules in Wales?

While Wales is under lockdown:

People should stay at home in most circumstances
Secondary school pupils above Year 8 have online learning only
People must not visit other households or meet people they do not live with
Pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops are closed
Leisure businesses, community centres, libraries and recycling centres are also shut
Places of worship are closed for normal services, except for funerals and weddings
Adults living alone or single parents can join with one other household for support from anywhere in Wales

image copyrightReuters

image captionThe ban has provoked a fierce debate on what goods are "essential"

In addition, supermarkets and food shops remain open, but are not allowed to sell "non-essential goods".

Food preparation items
Cleaning/washing products
Toiletries
Pharmaceutical products
Baby products
Newspapers and magazines
Stationery and greeting cards

How will Scotland's new five-tier system work?

Each area of Scotland will fall into one of five tiers:

Level zero - eight people from three households can meet indoors. Most businesses would be open. Ms Sturgeon said this is the "closest to normality we can safely get to without more effective treatments or a vaccine"
Level one - six people from two households can meet indoors. This level would offer a "reasonable degree of normality"
Level two - limitations on hospitality and no gatherings inside people's homes. This will be broadly similar to current restrictions outside Scotland's central belt
Level three - much of hospitality closed completely, although restaurants may be able to open. Similar to current central belt restrictions
Level four - Closer to full lockdown, but six people from two households would still be able to meet outdoors. This would not be used "unless absolutely necessary"

The Scottish government will formally confirm on Thursday which areas of the country will be in which level from 2 November.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the the aim is to be on levels zero and one:

Schools would stay open in all levels and Ms Sturgeon said there are no plans to return to a lockdown "as severe as March".

Current restrictions include the tougher rules imposed on 3.4 million people in central Scotland.

All licensed premises - except hotel bars for residents - must close indoors and outdoors, though takeaways are permitted. Cafes can stay open until 18:00 daily, but must not serve alcohol.

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

Snooker halls, bowling alleys, casinos and bingo halls must also close, and non-professional contact sports and indoor group exercise for adults are suspended.

image copyrightGetty Images

image captionA shopper in Buchanan Street, Glasgow

In the rest of Scotland, pubs and restaurants can only open inside between 06:00 and 18:00 daily, and cannot serve alcohol.

They can only serve food and non-alcoholic drinks, but 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.

From Monday, when the new tier system comes in, licensed premises placed in level two will be able to serve alcohol with a meal until 20:00 GMT.

In level three areas, licensed premises can reopen until 18:00, but cannot serve alcohol.

How does England's three-tier system work?

Every area of England is now in one of three categories - medium (tier one), high (tier two) or very high (tier three), depending on the local infection rate.

What are the rules in tier three?

Areas with the most rapidly rising transmission rates are placed in tier three.

You cannot meet anybody anywhere indoors who is not part of your household or support bubble, nor can you meet them in a private garden or outdoor venue such as a pub garden
You can meet up in groups of up to six people in parks, beaches, countryside or forests
Pubs and bars must close unless they are serving substantial meals. Alcohol can only be served as part of a meal
You are advised not to travel into or out of tier three areas, other than for work, education, youth services or caring responsibilities
Casinos, bingo halls and betting shops, adult gaming centres and soft play areas must shut

Extra measures can be introduced for individual areas.

image copyrightMatthew Horwood

What are the rules for tier two?

You cannot meet people socially indoors if you do not live with them - whether in private homes, 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.

What are the rules for tier one?

Areas in tier one are subject to the basic national rules previously in force.

What are Northern Ireland's new rules?

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:

Pubs, bars and restaurants must close, except for takeaways and deliveries, which must stop by 23:00 BST
Support bubbles will be limited to a maximum of 10 people from two households
You are not allowed to stay overnight in someone else's home, unless they are part of your bubble
Close-contact services like hairdressers and beauticians must close, except for essential services
No indoor or contact sport allowed unless at elite level; gyms stay open for individual exercise only
No mass events of more than 15 people, apart from certain sporting events
Wedding ceremonies limited to 25 people, with no receptions
Funerals limited to 25 people, with no wakes allowed before or afterwards