The guidelines
The virus has not changed - the more people we interact with, the more chance the virus has to spread. South Yorkshire has shown we can reduce the rate of infection by following the rules - washing our hands, covering our face and keeping our space but we need to keep
It is critical that everybody observes the following key behaviours:
- HANDS - Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds.
- FACE - Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
- SPACE - Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors).
Social distancing
To reduce the risk of catching or spreading coronavirus, try to keep at least 2 metres away from people you do not live with. Social distancing is essential to stop the spread of the virus, as it is more likely to spread when people are close together. An infected person can pass on the virus even if they do not have any symptoms, through talking, breathing, coughing or sneezing.
When you are with people you do not live with, you should also avoid: physical contact; being close and face-to-face; and shouting or singing close to them. You should also avoid crowded areas with lots of people; and touching things that other people have touched.
Where you cannot stay 2 metres apart you should stay more than 1 metre apart, as well as taking extra steps to stay safe. For example:
- wear a face covering: on public transport and in many indoor spaces, you must wear a face covering by law, unless you are exempt
- move outdoors, where it is safer and there is more space
- if indoors, make sure rooms are well ventilated by keeping windows and doors open
You do not need to socially distance from anyone in your household, meaning the people you live with. You also do not need to socially distance from anyone in your legally-permitted support bubble if you are in one, or someone you’re in an established relationship with. If in the early stages of a relationship, you should take particular care to follow the guidance on social distancing.
When providing care to a young child, or person with a disability or health condition who is not in your household or support bubble, it may not always be possible or practicable to maintain social distancing. You should still limit close contact as much as possible when providing these types of care, and take other precautions such as washing hands and opening windows for ventilation.
How many people can you meet up with
- In general, you must not meet people socially however:
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You can exercise or meet in a public, outdoors space with people you live with, your support bubble (or as part of a childcare bubble), or with one other person.
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Children of pre-school age are not included in this limit, so you can meet outdoors with one other adult and children of pre-school age.
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When South Yorkshire moves into Tier 3 from December 2:
- You can't mix with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, indoors, or in private gardens and pub gardens
- You can meet in a group of up to six in other outdoor spaces, such as parks, beaches or countryside
Will the rules be enforceable
Yes. The police will have the powers to enforce these legal limits, including to issue fines.
What makes up a household?
A household is a group of people that share a home, i.e. the people you live with.
- You don't need to socially distance from anyone in your household (ie the people you live with).
What makes up a support bubble?
A support bubble is a close support network between a household with only one adult in the home (known as a single-adult household) and one other household of any size.
- You don't need to socially distance from anyone in your legally-permitted bubble
- NOTE: Support bubbles have been expanded. From 2 December you can form a support bubble with another household if any of the following apply to you:
- you are the only adult in your household (any other members of the household having been under 18 on 12 June 2020) or are the only adult who does not have a disability that needs continuous care
- you have a child under 1
- you live with a child under 5 with a disability that needs continuous care
Do children count when meeting one other adult?
- Yes, other than those children who are under school age.
Can I look after my grandchildren?
Yes - you will need to form a childcare support bubble with the household of your grandchildren.
- A childcare bubble is where someone in one household provides informal (unpaid and unregistered) childcare to a child aged 13 or under in another household. This must always be between the same 2 households (grandparent/s, grandchildren). Only a single childcare bubble is permitted.
- Friends or family who do not live with you and are not part of a support or childcare bubble must not visit your home to help with childcare. Childcare bubbles are to be used to provide childcare only, and not for the purposes of different households mixing where they are otherwise not allowed to do so.
So, the same grandparents have to look after the same grandchildren every time, parents are not able or allowed to alternate between either set of grandparents for childcare to reduce the level of interactions and so transmission of the virus.
What if it's hard to socially distance?
The Government recognises it may not be possible or practicable to maintain social distancing when providing care to a young child, or person with a disability or health condition. You should do your best to limit your close contact as much as possible when providing care in these situations, and also wash your hands and opening windows for ventilation can help.