What are the COVID19 rules in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

By George Ryan, PA Political Reporter

Rules about what you can and cannot do during the Covid-19 pandemic vary between the different parts of the UK.

This is because policy areas like public health and education are devolved matters for the governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so they can decide rules for themselves.

With different sets of guidelines coming from Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff and Stormont, this can lead to a somewhat confusing picture.

PM @BorisJohnson has announced today that some of the proposed changes to the rules in August will be postponed for at least a fortnight.

This is to keep the virus under control. Read his full statement here: https://t.co/6JMjgCppF8 pic.twitter.com/TU2YrWtlTg

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 31, 2020

Here is a summary of some of the different rules in place as of July 31.

Face coverings

UK-wide - Advised where social distancing is not possible.

England - Compulsory on public transport from June 15 and in shops and supermarkets from July 24. From August 8 they will also be required in places you come into "contact with people you do not normally meet, such as museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship", the Prime Minister said on Friday.

Scotland - Compulsory on public transport from June 22 and compulsory in shops from July 10.

Wales - Compulsory on public transport from July 27.

Northern Ireland - Compulsory on public transport from July 10.

Social distancing

England - Two metres where possible, including workplaces. If not possible then one metre with "mitigations" such as face masks and more frequent hand washing.

Scotland - Two metres, including workplaces. Under-12s exempt outdoors.

Wales - Two metres, including workplaces.

Northern Ireland - One metre (from June 29).

Work

England - Working from home advised. However, on Friday, the Prime Minister said: "If employers think, and employees think, that actually to get in, to be productive, you need to be at your place of work then that's a very, very important consideration."

Scotland - Currently the advice is that if you can work from home, you should.

Wales - Where not possible to work from home, employers must ensure two metre distances are maintained at work.

Northern Ireland - Working from home where possible.

Seeing family and friends

UK-wide - Except where there are restrictions in place (ie. for the vulnerable or children) Social distancing should be maintained at all times when meeting people outside your household.

England - Two households can meet anywhere and groups of up to six people from different households can meet outdoors. Household mixing is banned from July 31 for those in Greater Manchester, parts of East Lancashire and West Yorkshire and also Leicester.

Scotland - Since July 10, limited indoor gatherings have been permitted. A maximum of eight people, from up to three different households, can meet indoors.

Wales - Two households can join together to form an extended household. This means all the people living in these two separate households will become part of one extended household for the purposes of the coronavirus restrictions. Members of two separate extended households (and any carers) are allowed to meet outdoors only while observing social distancing. From Monday, up to 30 people can meet outdoors, and children under 11 do not need to socially distance.

Northern Ireland - Since July 24, up to 10 people, from four households can meet indoors in private homes. Up to 30 people can meet up outdoors.

Shops, restaurants and pubs

England - Non-essential shops open since June 15. Pubs and restaurants from July 4 with table service indoors.

Scotland - Non-essential shops open since June 29 (indoor shopping centres on July 13). Pubs outdoors open from July 6 and indoor hospitality from July 15.

Wales - Non-essential shops since June 22. Pubs outdoors from July 13 and indoors from August 3.

Northern Ireland - Non-essential shops since June 8. Pubs from July 3, alcohol to be sold with food indoors.

Sports and leisure facilities

England - Outdoor sports from May 10 in small groups. Indoor gyms, pools and leisure centres from July 25. Planned re-opening of bowling alleys, ice rinks, indoor live performances and piloting of sports audiences on August 1 postponed for at least a fortnight.

Scotland - Outdoor sports from June 29. Indoor sports facilities closed until "phase 3".

Wales - Outdoor sports from June 22. Indoor sports facilities closed until "amber phase". Swimming pools, gyms, leisure centres and children's indoor play areas will be able to reopen from August 10.

Northern Ireland - Outdoor sports from June 8. Indoor gyms to open from July 10. Swimming pools to reopen from July 24. Other indoor sports courts to open from August 7.

Schools

England - Primary and secondary schools to reopen with full attendance in September.

Scotland - To open from August 11, at the start of the new school year.

Wales - All year groups, a third of pupils at time, from June 29. Schools will fully reopen from September 1.

Northern Ireland - Pupils in years 7, 12 and 14 to return part-time on August 24.

Holidays and travel

UK-wide - From June 8, 14-day quarantine for travellers from outside a list of exempt countries. England and Wales share a list, while Scotland and Northern Ireland decide for themselves.

England - From July 4, people may only stay overnight in groups of up to two households in holiday accommodation.

Scotland - All holiday accommodation re-opened on July 15. On Friday July 31 Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon advised against travel from Scotland to parts of northern England affected by higher rates of Covid-19 transmission.

Wales - Tourist accommodation with shared facilities reopened on July 25.

Northern Ireland - Campsites and caravans from June 26. Hotels from July 25.