Social distancing

Basic social distancing rules maintain that people should be at least 2m (6ft) apart from each other except people who live in the same household as them. It also means that people are not allowed to gather in large groups and nor are they allowed to join in with any crowd or mass gathering.

Furthermore, social distancing means that contact with people from outside of the household should be limited, although it is expected that the rules about this will change once countries have better control over the spread of the virus and they understand more about it.

Recommendations for the most effective social distancing include:

• Staying ideally 2m apart from all people when outside such as in an open area like the street or a more closed in an area like a supermarket.
• Consider using mail order for food and medicines where possible.
• Covering the face in a place likely to have more people in it, such as public transport. This should not be a surgical face covering – a scarf will suffice.
• Face coverings should not be placed on children under the age of two nor on anyone who has breathing difficulties.
• Avoid any form of large gathering outside of the household.
• Not allowing children to play with other children outside of their household.
• Working from home wherever possible.
• Avoiding public transport where possible.
• Staying in touch with others via technology such as by phone or social media.