Jan 11th, 2022
8 mins
Across the UK, people who test positive for Covid can now end self-isolation after seven days instead of the previous 10, subject to two negative lateral flow test (LFT) results on days six and seven.
While case rates remain high, people without Covid symptoms who have a positive LFT don’t need to take a PCR test to confirm their status.
In addition, children and fully vaccinated adults no longer need to take a pre-departure test before travelling to the UK and can now take an LFT instead of a PCR on arrival.
England
“Plan B” measures include:
- compulsory face coverings in most indoor public venues, including theatres and cinemas – as well as on public transport and in shops and hairdressers – but not in pubs or restaurants, or venues such as gyms where it’s “not practical”
- people should work from home “if they can”, and are advised to take lateral flow tests (LFTs) before entering any “high-risk setting”, including busy areas and some workplaces
- people must show that they’re vaccinated, have recently tested negative (or are exempt) to gain entry to nightclubs and large-scale events
- all school staff and secondary school pupils should take two lateral flow tests (LFTs) a week, and secondary school pupils have to wear face coverings in class until 26 January at the earliest
Scotland
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that Scotland’s current pandemic restrictions will remain in place until a planned review on 11 January.
Introduced after Christmas, they place limits on the size of live public events:
- Indoors – 100 standing or 200 seated
- Outdoors – 500 seated or standing
Football matches have become effectively spectator-free, and non-professional indoor contact sports has been halted. Nightclubs are closed. Life events like weddings are not affected.
Pubs, bars and other hospitality venues are operating with table service only. One-metre (3ft) social distancing is advised in these settings, with no more than three households in each group.
Other restrictions include:
- people asked to limit social contact to two other households – and to test before meeting
- shops and businesses to take measures to limit the spread of Covid
- care home visits limited to two households (who must test first)
- employers have a legal duty to let staff work from home
- face coverings are compulsory on public transport and most indoor spaces
Wales
First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed the present Covid restrictions will remain in place.
New rules introduced after Christmas include:
- social distancing of 2m (6ft) in all premises open to the public and workplaces, where reasonable
- gatherings limited to six people in premises such as hospitality venues, cinemas and theatres
- licensed premises to take additional measures to protect customers and staff, including table service and collecting contact details
- large events not allowed – with maximum numbers of 30 at an indoor event and 50 outdoors
- nightclubs must close
- large sporting events to be played behind closed doors
For smaller sporting events, up to 50 spectators are allowed. There is an exception for events involving children.
Other measures include:
- NHS Covid Pass needed for entry to cinemas, theatres and concert halls, and many other events
- working from home wherever possible
- compulsory face coverings in schools, on public transport, and in shops and hospitals
- secondary school pupils are asked to test for Covid three times a week
- advice to wear masks in pubs and restaurants, when not eating or drinking
Northern Ireland
First Minister Paul Givan has said no further Covid restrictions are currently necessary, and a plan to tighten controls around the wearing of face coverings has been scrapped.
New rules introduced after Christmas include:
- nightclubs are closed
- dancing in all hospitality venues not allowed
- all indoor standing events not allowed
- hospitality venues including pubs, cafes and restaurants can offer table service only
- in hospitality venues a maximum of six people (or 10 from a single household) allowed at a table (excluding children aged 12 and under)
- businesses must take measures to achieve 2m social distancing and limit the spread of Covid in office spaces
- businesses to promote use of face coverings
These measures do not apply to weddings or civil partnership celebrations.
Household mixing should also be limited to a maximum of three households, the government says.
Other measures include:
- face coverings compulsory in shops, indoor-seated venues and visitor attractions, public transport and some other settings
- post-primary pupils must wear a face covering inside school buildings, as well as on school transport. Staff are encouraged to wear masks in school areas where they can’t socially distance
- Covid passport scheme for venues including bars and cinemas
