• Government Advice

Updated 23rd June

On 23^rd June the Prime Minister announced the following:

• From 4^th July
  • the 2m social distancing rule is reduced to 1m+, still staying 2m apart where feasible
  • two households (of any size) can meet in any setting, inside or outside. Outside people form any household can meet in groups of up to six, or from two households in groups of any size
  • people can stay overnight in shared facilities (hotels, B&Bs, campsites). Shared facilities must be kept clean.
  • restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, barbers, outdoor gyms, playgrounds, theme parks, libraries, museums, cinemas, social clubs, community centres can open. Indoor facilities such as changing rooms and courts will remain closed. You can only play contact team sports with members of same household.
  • Places of workshop can open and weddings can take place (up to 30 people subject to social distancing guidance)

• For now
  • Night clubs, indoor gyms, soft play, swimming pools and spas, bowling alleys and water parks must stay closed.
  • Further advice will be provided for close contact businesses such as nail bars.
  • The government is developing guidance to enable choirs, orchestras and theatres to start operating again.
• Formal childcare settings will open over the summer, full attendance at schools to start in September – those who can attend now should do so.

22nd June Update

The government set out a series of steps for further relaxing shielding guidance which will come into effect on 6 July and 1 August:

From 6 July people who are shielding:

• may meet in a group of up to 6 people outdoors, including people from different households, while maintaining strict social distancing
• no longer need to observe social distancing with other members of their household
• single adult households may form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household able to spend time together inside each other’s homes, including overnight, without needing to socially distance

From 1 August shielding will be paused and people who are shielding can :

• go to work, if you cannot work from home, as long as the business is COVID-safe
• children who are clinically extremely vulnerable can return to their education settings if they are eligible and in line with their peers. Where possible children should practise frequent hand washing and social distancing

Government guidance for people who are shielding is here.

Update 29th May

• The Government published its COVID-19 recovery strategy on 11^th May with the aim of the plan to “return life to as close to normal as possible, for an many people as possible as fast and fairly as possible in a way that avoids a new epidemic, minimises lives lost and maximises, health, economic and social outcomes”
• Social contact is still limited and good hygiene practices: hand washing, social distancing and regular disinfecting of surfaces touched by others are still essential.
• If you have symptoms or are diagnosed with Covid-19 you must self isolate for 7 days (longer if you still have a temperature). If someone in your household has symptoms must self isolate for 14 days. Read more here

From Monday 15th June

• Secondary and FE Colleges can have face to face contact with pupils in Year 10 and Year 12 in addition to online learning.
• Non-essential retail can open, provided they meet COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers. 

From Monday 8th June

• Dental practices can re-open.

From Monday 1st June

• In England people can meet in groups of up to 6 people from different households outside including in gardens and other private outdoor spaces a long as social distancing guidelines (staying 2m apart) are followed.
• People who are shielding should continue to do so.
• Outdoor markets and car showrooms can reopen, provided they meet COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers.
• Nursery pupils, and those in Years R, 1 and 6 can return with class sizes limited to 15, staggered breaks and regular handwashing in place.

From Wednesday 13^th May

• Workers should continue to work from home rather than their normal physical workplace, wherever possible. Workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is open. People are encouraged to cycle, walk or drive rather than use public transport to get to work. Workplaces should follow the Covid-19 Secure guidelines.
• Garden centres can open.
• House moves and viewings can take place and estate agents and letting agents can open.
• Social distancing guidance on public transport must be followed (further guidance to be provided this week) 
• People should wear a face-covering (not face mask) in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible, eg on public transport or in some shops. Children under 2, people with respiratory issues or young children are not required to wear face coverings. This is to prevent people without symptoms spreading the virus. 
• People can spend time outdoors, including sitting on benches, picnicking or sunbathing
• You can meet up with one person from outside your household as long as you remain 2m apart and follow good hand hygiene.
• You can exercise outside as many times each day as you wish, including golf, fishing and tennis. You can do this with members of your household OR one person from outside your household, as long as you stay 2m apart.
• You can drive to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance, but not to different parts of the UK. Social distancing guidance must still be followed. 
• With a few limited exceptions, all international arrivals will be required to self isolate for 14 days. The date this will come into effect is to be announced.

Government advice on staying safe outside the home (this does not apply to people who are clinically vulnerable or extremely vulnerable)

• Keep your distance from people outside your household. The key thing is to not be too close to people for more than a short amount of time, as much as you can.
• Keep your hands and face as clean as possible.
• Work from home if you can. If your workplace is open and you cannot work from home, you can travel to work.
• Avoid being face to face with people if they are outside your household. Stay 1m+ apart and side-to-side rather than facing people can reduce the risk of infection.
• Reduce the number of people you spend time within a work setting where you can.
• Avoid crowds.
• If you have to travel (to work or school, for example) try and avoid peak times.
• Wash your clothes regularly.
• Keep indoor places well ventilated.
• If you can, wear a face covering (not face mask) if you are in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible, such as on public transport or in some shops.
• Follow the advice given to you by your employer when at work.