Do social distance rules apply after both vaccine jabs?
- Published
Guidance on close contact with friends and family has been relaxed, but some social distancing measures remain.
There are no special rules for people who have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine - about half the UK's adult population.
Why do I still need to socially distance if I've been vaccinated?
While your chances of becoming sick with Covid are massively reduced after both jabs, there are other factors:
What's the latest guidance?
You can choose whether or not to be socially distanced from family and friends you don't live with, in England
The government says it wants to let people exercise "personal judgement" on close contact with others. So if you want to hug each other, you can.
However, everyone is asked to remain cautious and remember some people are more vulnerable to Covid than others.
Coronavirus spreads mainly when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks - sending small droplets, packed with the virus, into the air. The further apart people are, the lower the risk of them being infected.
The government has issued new guidance for eight areas where the Indian variant is spreading strongly: Kirklees, Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside.
People in these areas are advised, "wherever possible", to stay 2m (6ft) apart from those they don't live with, and to meet outside rather than indoors.
Advice has been issued for other parts of the UK:
Do I still need to wear a face covering?
You will be committing an offence and could be fined if you refuse to wear a face covering in many public places, including public transport and shops.
Some people are exempt - such as children aged under 11, and some people with physical or mental impairments.
There are similar rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What about face coverings in schools?
In England, face coverings are no longer recommended for pupils in secondary school classrooms.
Face covering measures are still in place for pupils and staff in secondary/high schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How many people can I meet?
There are legal limits, rather than guidance, about how many people can meet.
In England:
Children of all ages are included in headcounts, but professional carers are not. Support bubbles count as one household.
In Scotland, rules vary:
In Wales:
In Northern Ireland:
- Six people from two households can meet in private homes and stay overnight (children aged 12 and under are not counted)
- If a household has more than six members, the number staying together can be up to 10 (including children)
When could social distancing end?
It's hoped the removal of "all legal limits on social contact" in England will be in step four of the government roadmap, on 21 June at the earliest.
First, a review into social distancing - including face coverings and working from home guidance - needs to report.
The prime minister has warned the India variant could pose "serious disruption" to lockdown easing.