Covid: What are the rules in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
- Published
Scotland is moving to a five tier system of coronavirus restrictions from Monday, as tighter rules are being brought in around the UK.
Several areas are currently under England's highest level of restrictions, while Wales and Northern Ireland are in the middle of temporary lockdowns.
How will Scotland's new five-tier system work?
From Monday, each area of Scotland will move into one of five levels:
- Level zero - Almost like normal life. However, no area has been placed in this level.
- Level one - In time, six people from two households can meet indoors. at this level, but that will not be permitted right now. Up to six people from two households can meet outdoors or at a pub or restaurant. Hospitality has a 22:30 GMT curfew.
- Level two - No gatherings inside people's homes, but up to six people from two households can meet outdoors or at a pub or restaurant. Most hospitality venues can open. Alcohol can be served indoors with a meal until 20:00 and outdoors until 22:30.
- Level three - No indoor gatherings at home. Pubs and restaurants can open until 18:00 but alcohol cannot be served. Leisure and entertainment venues are closed. Non-essential travel in or out of the area advised against.
- Level four - Closer to full lockdown. No area has been placed in this level.
More than half of Scotland's 32 local authorities are under level three restrictions, including Edinburgh and Glasgow. All the rest will start off on levels one or two.
Schools will stay open in all levels. The decision is based on factors including number of cases per 100,000 people, the ratio of positive test results, projections of new cases and the capacity of local hospitals and intensive care units.
Scotland's current restrictions include tougher rules imposed on 3.4 million people in the country's central belt.
Until Monday, all licensed premises - except hotel bars for residents - must close indoors and outdoors, although takeaways are permitted. Cafes can stay open until 18:00 daily, but must not serve alcohol.
What are the new rules in Wales?
Wales is under lockdown until 9 November, during which:
- 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
In addition, supermarkets and food shops remain open, but are not allowed to sell "non-essential goods".
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.
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 is in the middle of 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