Can I see friends and relatives?
You can see j one person from another household, outside. The government’s scientific advice is to stay two meters apart.
You cannot visit friends or relatives in their homes or indoors. You also can’t get together in a larger group with people who aren’t from your household (with a few exceptions, like funerals). Additional fines will be imposed on anyone who violates these rules.
Can I practice more?
There are no longer any limits on the amount of exercise or outdoor recreation (such as sunbathing) you can do outside in England.
You can play outdoor sports, such as golf or tennis, with members of your household or with one other person from another household (while maintaining social distancing).
Households can also drive any distance in England to destinations such as parks and beaches. But they should not travel to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, where the rules are different.
Why are the rules different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Decisions on easing self-isolation rules in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of each national government.
However, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the lifting of some lockdown measures in the country from May 28.
People will be able to sit or sunbathe in parks and open spaces and meet people from other households – although only outside and in smaller numbers. Some outdoor activities are also allowed, such as golf and tennis.
Travel – preferably by foot or cycle – for recreation is also possible, although people will be asked to stay “where possible” within or near their local area.
Should I go back to work (and how will I get there)?
People who can work from home in England should continue to do so in due course.
But the government says those who can’t should travel to their workplace if it’s open – and walk, cycle or drive if at all possible, to prevent overcrowding on public transport.
Those using buses or trains have been told to expect queues with social distancing and to wear protective masks.
Workplaces should be safe for staff, with more cleaning, staggered work shifts, and for office workers, no Hot Desking.
What if I need to work in other people’s homes?
If you are a cleaner or plumber, and you need to enter someone else’s home for your job, you are allowed to return to work.
No work should be carried out in the home of someone who is under protection or has isolated themselves due to Covid-19 symptoms, unless it is an emergency.
In homes where someone is medically vulnerable – for example, where a person is over 70 years old – face-to-face contact should be avoided and strict hygiene rules should be followed.
Can I move?
Potential buyers and tenants will be able to visit show homes and view homes on the market that are being rented or sold.
Anyone who has already bought a new home can visit it to prepare for moving in.
What about kindergartens, nannies, and child care?
Nannies in England have now been told they can return to work – but only if they look after youngsters from the same household.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, registered kindergartens were closed or either providing care for vulnerable children or children of key workers.
The government has announced that it would like pre-school children in England to return to schools/preschools from 1 June.
When will schools and universities open?
The government’s ambition is for all primary school children in England to return to school before the summer for a month, if possible.
It is hoped that pre-school and Year 1 and Year 6 pupils will return from June 1, but teaching unions are seeking scientific evidence that schools will be safe to reopen.
Class sizes are expected to be no larger than 15 students, with gradual breaks and frequent hand washing.
The government says secondary schools and further education colleges should prepare for face-to-face contact with Year 10 and 12 students who have key exams next year, to complement their learning at home.
Meanwhile, the uncertainty is whether students will be able to attend the university in person or whether it will be taught partly or entirely online.
When can I go shopping on the High Street again?
All retailers – from department stores to small independent shops – can reopen in England from June 15, if they introduce social distancing measures.
Both outdoor markets and car showrooms can reopen from June 1, if they are “protected”.
But the government has said these dates could change if the rate of coronavirus infection increases.
Garden centres have already reopened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What about hair salons, pubs and cafes?
Pubs, restaurants, hair salons, hotels, cinemas and places of worship will open from July 4 at the earliest, provided they can meet social distancing measures.
However, indoor public spaces such as beauty salons, where social distancing could be difficult, could reopen “significantly later”, depending on the speed of contagion.
What about flying in and out of the UK?
The Foreign Office is currently advising against all but essential travel, and the government has announced that it will introduce a two-week quarantine period for people arriving in the UK “as soon as possible”.
Exemptions will be made for people arriving from the Republic of Ireland as part of the Common Travel Area.
If international travelers cannot say where they plan to self-isolate for 14 days, they will have to do so in government-organized accommodation.
All passengers are advised to stay 2m (6ft) apart whenever possible. They should also consider wearing gloves and face masks – which some UK airports and airlines have made mandatory.
