This is a summary of the rules from July 19th - for full details see the Gov.UK guidance Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread.
This webpage is based on the August 16th update.
This webpage will be updated if more detailed guidance is published.
It is absolutely vital that we proceed now with caution - this pandemic is not over and continues to carry risks.
We cannot simply revert instantly from Monday 19th July to life as it was before Covid.
Guidance will still include letting fresh air in and minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.
1 Vaccinations
• The vaccine dose interval will be 8 weeks for everyone.
• The most vulnerable will be offered a booster in the Autumn.
2 Social Distancing
The guidance to work from home where possible will end.
(Government would expect and recommend a gradual return over the summer.)
Limits on social contact will end - no restrictions on indoor or outdoor gatherings and no school bubbles.
Weddings, funerals and other life events able to take place without limits or restrictions.
New guidance: Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations: guidance from Step 4
New guidance: 19 July guidance for funerals and commemorative events during the coronavirus pandemic
All venues currently closed will be allowed to reopen, including nightclubs.
(The Government will encourage and support businesses and large events to use the NHS Covid Pass in high risk settings.
If sufficient measures are not taken to limit infection, the Government will consider mandating certification in certain venues at a later date.)
No legal requirement for table service in hospitality settings.
Face coverings will no longer be legally required in shops, schools, hospitality, or on public transport.
Updated guidance: Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own
This guidance guidance recommends wearing face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces such public transport.
Businesses can ask their employees and customers to wear face coverings.
Infection Prevention Control guidance advises that patients and visitors across all healthcare settings and care home should wear a face covering.
There will be no legal requirement on the use of Covid-status certification as a condition of entry for visitors to any domestic setting.
(Businesses, venues and events can make use of certification.)
No limit on the number of named visitors for care home residents.
Updated guidance: Guidance on care home visiting
New guidance: Visits out of care homes
New guidance: 19 July guidance on protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
3 NHS Test and Trace
You will have to self-isolate if you test positive.
Fully vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff will be permitted to attend work (See press release)
Fully vaccinated critical workers such as railway signallers and air traffic controllers will also be permitted to attend work (See press release)
You’re not required to self-isolate if you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, if you’re fully vaccinated or you’re below the age of 18 years 6 months. See the Get tested and self isolate section.
4 International Travel
The Traffic Light List will continue but you can travel to amber countries from 19 July.
Updated guidance: Red, amber and green list rules for entering England
From July 19th the need for fully vaccinated arrivals to isolate on return from an amber country is removed. (See the news story)
5 Contingency Measures
The government will continue to monitor the data and retain contingency measures to help manage the virus during higher risk periods, such as the winter.
They will place an emphasis on strengthened guidance and do everything possible to avoid re-imposing restrictions.
The government will review the guidance in September.
The Gov.UK guidance Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread contains about 20 sections:
England has moved to Step 4 ~ Lifting restrictions ~ Extra support deployed in areas receiving an enhanced response to COVID-19 ~ Businesses and venues ~ Keeping yourself and others safe ~ Get tested and self isolate ~ Get vaccinated Using the NHS COVID-19 app ~ Wearing a face covering ~ Fresh air ~ Testing twice a week even if you don’t have symptoms, and using the NHS COVID Pass ~ Personal hygiene ~ Staying home when unwell ~ Close contact ~ Understanding the risks of COVID-19 ~ If you are clinically extremely vulnerable ~ If you are pregnant ~ International travel ~ Travelling to England from outside the UK ~ Travelling in the UK, Ireland and Channel IslandsUpdated August 16th