Coronavirus (COVID-19): national guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): national guidance
==='''The easiest steps to protect yourself and others is to remember to wash your hands regulary, maintain your social distance where possible, and to limit your social contacts. The most vulnerable in our society are advised to stay home as much as possible, and consider wearing a face covering in certain public settings, if possible.'''===

Social distancing
===To reduce the risk of catching or spreading coronavirus, you should reduce the time spent with people you do not live with. When you are meeting other people, where possible, please try to maintain a social distance of 1m at all times, and reduce contact points if you are meeting in private indoor settings.===

When you cannot maintain a social distance of 1m, you should consider additional precautions:

 * Face coverings or masks: the wearing of face coverings or masks is not mandated, however it is recommended on public transportation where a social distance of 1m cannot be adequately maintained with others. Vulnerable and elderly people are advised to consider wearing a face covering if using public transport or visiting retail stores. Some local restrictions may require the use of face coverings or masks. You do not have to wear a face covering or mask if you cannot tolerate wearing one, or you have certain medical conditions, and you cannot be refused service for being unable to wear one.===
 * Meet outside: in outdoor spaces, there is more space and ventilation, therefore the risk of transmission is greatly reduced, even at shorter physical distances.===

Who you can meet
===In indoor private spaces, such as your own home, you must only gather in a group of no more than 8 people. In some areas, there may be temporary local restrictions that affect the gathering limit in the locality.===

Some exemptions apply to this rule, you may meet for:

 * a legally permitted protest, with adequate social distancing guidance===
 * a protest that is not legally permitted, but is utilising some social distancing guidance===
 * an outdoor gathering that is legally permitted, with social distancing guidance recommended===
 * an indoor gathering that is legally permitted, with social distancing guidance recommended and contact points reduced in communal areas, such as in restrooms or a cloakroom===
 * educational or work purposes, this includes meeting indoors and outdoors===
 * the purpose of labor work or construction, in all settings===
 * exercise in all settings, however an outdoors setting is highly recommended===

In certain establishments and venues, such as nightclubs, theatres and stadia, there are gathering limits in place.

 * Nightclubs: there is a capacity of limit of 75 people, or 25% of full capacity (whatever is less) in nightclub venues, and these venues must only operate between 9pm Friday and 3am Sunday. You should maintain 1m social distance from others, whenever possible, particularly in communal areas*.


 * Theatres: there is a capacity limit of 750 people, or 35% of full capacity (whatever is less) in theatres, this includes open-air theatres, hippodromes, and other auditoriums used for the purpose of live performances. You should maintain 1m social distance from others, whenever possible, particularly in communal areas.====
 * Stadia: there is a capacity limit of 1,500 people, or 20% of full capacity (whatever is less) in enclosed stadia. Open-air stadia currently has a capacity limit of 2,500 people or 25% of full capacity (whatever is less). You should maintain 1m social distance from others, whenever possible, particularly in communal areas.====

===* - Social distancing cannot be easily maintained in venues such as nightclubs, therefore it is even more important to ensure distancing in communal areas such as washrooms and cloakrooms, or at the bar.===