What you need to know about the new Covid rules

What can we do that that we couldn't do before?

Here's what we need to know about the changes in England - including on the Isle of Wight.

Work

• Continue to work from home if you can.
• Travel safely, if you need to and plan your journey in advance.

Getting together

• Outdoor gatherings are limited to 30 people.
• Indoor gatherings are limited to 6 people (or 2 households, where each household can include a support bubble).
• You don't necessarily need to be 2m apart, when meeting friends and family, but you are encouraged to 'exercise caution and consider the guidance on risks associated with COVID-19 and actions you can take to help keep you and your loved ones safe.'
• There may be specific guidance that you will need to follow even when you are with friends and family.
• It means we're allowed to hug - but safely.

Events

• We can attend indoor and outdoor events, including live performances, sporting events and business events.
• Attendance at these events is capped according to venue type.
• We should follow the COVID-secure measures set out by those venues.

Eating/drinking out

• Indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can reopen.

Entertainment

• Indoor entertainment and attractions such as cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bowling alleys, casinos, amusement arcades, museums and children’s indoor play areas are permitted to open with COVID-secure measures in place.

Sport

• Organised indoor sport can take place for all.
• Gym classes can be arranged but they must be organised by a business, charity or public body and there must be Covid-19 safety measures.

• CLICK HERE for the government website listing these changes and more.

Holiday

• All holiday accommodation can open, including hotels and B&Bs.
• It can be used by groups of up to 6 (or 2 households and each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).
• There is no longer a legal restriction or permitted reason required to travel internationally.
• A traffic light system for international travel has been introduced, and you must follow the rules when returning to England depending on whether you return from a red, amber or green list country.

Funerals and weddings

• Funeral attendance is no longer be limited to 30 people, but will be determined by how many people the COVID-secure venue can safely accommodate with social distancing.
• Limits at weddings, wakes and other commemorative events have been increased to 30 people.
• Other significant life events, such as bar/bat mitzvahs and christenings, will also be able to take place with 30 people.
• The rules for care home residents visiting out and receiving visitors have changed, allowing up to five named visitors (two at any one time), provided visitors test negative for COVID-19.

Education

• All higher education students are able to access in-person teaching.
• No longer a requirement for masks for secondary school children in classrooms and communal areas.

Masks

• You must continue to wear a face covering in many indoor settings, such as shops and places of worship, and on public transport, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse.

Other

• Support groups and parent and child group gathering limits have been increased to 30 people (not including under 5s).
• You should get a test and follow the stay at home guidance if you have COVID-19 symptoms.