Social distancing In Wales, 2-metre social distancing will be mandatory in offices, and measures including one-way systems and physical barriers will be introduced in businesses to protect customers and staff, from 27 December. In Scotland, the government has said businesses must “return to the kind of protections in place at the start of the pandemic” to avoid crowding, such as physical distancing and table service in bars. Its advice also includes a return to one-way systems in premises, app-based ordering and the use of screens at service points. Face masks In England, face coverings have been made compulsory in most indoor public settings, as well as on public transport, and people have been told to work from home if they can. Wales is encouraging people to wear face coverings and wash hands. By law in Scotland, everyone over the age of 12 must wear face coverings indoors unless exempt, and new guidance emphasises that masks should be worn inside all businesses. Going out England has the most relaxed rules in the UK, despite new restrictions introduced after a Commons vote this week. It is now mandatory for nightclubs and large venues to check the Covid status of visitors over the age of 18. People will have to show proof of being at least double vaccinated or of a negative test. This applies to indoor events with 500 or more attenders where people are likely to stand or move around, such as music venues; outdoor events with 4,000 or more attenders, such as music festivals; and any events with 10,000 or more attenders, whether indoors or outdoors, such as sports stadiums. In Wales, the government is encouraging people to have a negative lateral flow test result before going shopping or meeting people; to meet in well-ventilated areas, preferably outdoors; and to space out socialising to allow test days in between. Nightclubs in Wales will be closed from 27 December, with a £60m fund to support affected businesses. Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has urged people to limit their socialising to three households. She emphasised she was “not asking anyone to cancel Christmas”, but advised people to limit their socialising either side of the holiday. From Friday, businesses across Scotland are legally required to take “reasonable measures” to minimise Covid transmission. Stormont ministers will meet next Wednesday to consider potential new coronavirus restrictions. The current advice is that indoor gatherings should have no more than 30 people present. A scheme that requires people in Northern Ireland to prove Covid status to gain entry to a range of hospitality venues and large-attendance events will be made mandatory. Those wishing to access nightclubs, pubs, restaurants and other licensed premises will need to provide proof of vaccination, a negative lateral flow test result, or evidence of a previous Covid-19 infection. The same rules will apply for entry to large indoor and outdoor events such as concerts and sporting events. Working from home England’s guidance is that people should work from home if they can. Anyone who cannot work from home should continue to go in to work, but is encouraged to take lateral flow tests regularly. In Wales there will be a requirement from 27 December to work from home wherever possible. The Scottish government announced that allowing staff to work from home where possible would again become a legal duty on employers from Friday. In Northern Ireland, working from home is recommended where possible. Care homes Care home residents in England will be allowed visits from a maximum of three named people over the Christmas period. The Welsh government is urging people to reduce contact with others, especially if Christmas plans include seeing older or more vulnerable people. In Scotland, care home visits have been limited to two households. Vaccinations Boris Johnson has increased the booster jab campaign, with people 18 and over able to get their third jabs from this week. In Scotland, all over-18s can book a booster jab appointment online.