What are the rules for pubs, restaurants, festivals and gigs?

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Pubs and restaurants - as well as some concerts, summer festivals and gigs - are to continue observing a limit on numbers for the moment.

Remaining Covid restrictions in England are likely to last until at least 19 July. The relaxation of rules in Wales and Northern Ireland is also being paused and Scotland is expected to do the same.

What are the current rules for festivals and gigs?

Indoor and outdoor events can currently take place if they can ensure social distancing between groups, and limit attendance.

Venues with seating are easier to adapt to social distancing rules. For example, concert halls are holding events where the audience is seated, with spaces between groups (in England) of up to six or two households.

Some summer festivals are still hoping to go ahead as planned - while others have been cancelled altogether, gone online, or been rescheduled.

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image captionNotting Hill Carnival is not going ahead this August

Can I go clubbing yet?

No, nightclubs are still closed throughout the UK and the latest delay in England means they will not be opening yet.

Pilots for large events have been taking place - including one in April that brought together 6,000 clubbers in Liverpool.

The government says that more pilots will take place over June and July, including some music events.

What are the rules for pubs and restaurants in England?

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What are the rules in Scotland?

Restrictions vary according to region, ranging from level zero to level two.

  • Venues can open until 22:30 indoors, serving food and alcohol in line with local licensing laws
  • Customers need to book two-hour slots
  • Groups of up to six people from three households are allowed to meet indoors
  • Up to eight people from eight separate households are able to meet outdoors
  • Venues can open until 23:00 indoors
  • Groups of up to eight people from three households are allowed to meet indoors
  • Up to 12 people from 12 separate households are able to meet outdoors
  • Venue opening hours set by local licensing regulations
  • Groups of up to 10 people from three households are allowed to meet indoors
  • Up to 15 people from 15 separate households are able to meet outdoors

The easing of Covid-19 restrictions is likely to be pushed back three weeks to mid-July, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

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image captionUp to eight people from three households can meet indoors in level one areas of Scotland

What about Wales?

Up to six people from different households are able to meet indoors at pubs, cafes and restaurants.

People who do not live together, or who are not in bubbles, should remain socially distanced, 2m (6ft) apart.

Business owners are responsible for making their premises as safe as possible:

  • Children under 11 or working carers aren't counted
  • Licensed premises can offer table service only, with measures to support physical distancing
  • Customers are encouraged to pre-book and must provide contact details

Rule changes are on hold for four weeks, to be reviewed on 15 July.

What's happening in Northern Ireland?

Indoor hospitality has now reopened. Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants have to follow rules including:

  • Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants can open indoors and outdoors
  • Maximum of six customers per table from up to six households (children aged 12 or under not counted)
  • Groups of up to 10 are permitted if everyone belongs to a single household

Plans to allow live music performances at "ambient levels" have been pushed back a fortnight to 5 July (subject to review on 1 July) - although dancing will still not be permitted.

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