The Foreign

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The government has announced new Covid rules for England - including working from home if possible and wearing masks in more public Places .

Other parts of the UK have also tightened up their Covid regulations.

What are the new measures for England ?

From Friday 10 December, face coverings are mandatory for most indoor public venues including Places of worship, theatres and cinemas - as well as.

Masks won't be needed in pubs or restaurants, nor in venues like gyms where it's " not practical to wear them".

From Monday 13 December, People should work from home " if they can".

From Wednesday 15 December (subject to parliamentary approval), - showing their vaccination status or a recent negative lateral flow test - to gain entry to:

NightclubsIndoor unseated venues with more than 500 peopleUnseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 peopleAny venue with more than 10,000 People

The government also wants People to do a lateral flow test (LFT) before entering " a high-risk setting" - such as a crowded place - " involving People you wouldn't normally come into contact with, or When visiting a vulnerable person".

People who've come into contact with Omicron cases currently have to go into self-isolation for 10 days. Ministers intend to change The Rules so they can do daily Covid tests, instead.

What Covid rules were already in place in England ?

The:

Pupils at secondary schools are; as should staff and visitors at all schools and childcare settingsContacts of suspected or confirmed Omicron cases will be contacted and required to Anyone travelling to the UK has to take a PCR or LFT, and a - and must self-isolate until they have a negative result1m-plus social distancing Remains in Places such as hospitals and passport controlAnyone with Covid symptoms or who tests positive has to What's happening with boosters?

Every eligible person in England , Scotland and Wales should be able to book their booster by The End of January - although some may get it at a later date.

In England , Wales will and will work with GPs and others to deliver vaccinesNorthern Ireland has announced and is prioritising 40 to 49-year-oldsScotland, and all 40 to 60-year-olds have been directly invited to get their booster

Why are the new changes being made?

A new Covid Variant - Omicron - has been identified, and there are fears it could be more infectious and less responsive to vaccines.

What are the Covid rules in Wales?

Restrictions include:

NHS Covid Pass needed for entry to nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and concert halls and many other indoor and outdoor eventswork from home wherever possibleface coverings compulsory in schools, on Public Transport , and in shops and hospitals

What are the Covid rules in Northern Ireland ?

Restrictions include:

a limit of 30 People from different households mixing in homesface coverings compulsory in shops, indoor seated venues and visitor attractions, Public Transport and some other settingspost-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 vaccine passports for venues including nightclubs, bars and cinemaswork from home wherever possible

What are the Covid rules in Scotland?

Restrictions include:

2m (6ft) physical distancing rules remain in healthcare settings such as hospitals, GP surgeries and dentistsface coverings still compulsory on Public Transport and inside Places like shopsall school staff and secondary pupils to wear face coverings indoors indoor hospitality venues must collect customer contact detailswork from home where possible until at least the middle of Januaryall over-18s at nightclubs and other venuesFirst Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged People to take LFTs before mixing with other households

coronavirus lockdown measures, coronavirus pandemic

Source of news: bbc.com