MORE NEW COVID SAFETY RULES FOR SCOTLAND AND WALES

Last week the Welsh Government announced that from 27th December nightclubs must close and there will be a 2 metre rule on social distancing in offices and extra measures to protect customers and staff.

The Welsh Government provided some more detail and brought the introduction of the new measures forward to 26th December with the announcement of a return to a version of the previous level 2 COVID measures.

In summary from Boxing Day, the alert level two measures will mean:
• A general requirement of 2m social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces, where reasonable.
• The rule of 6 will apply to gatherings in regulated premises, such as hospitality, cinemas and theatres.
• All licensed premises will need to take additional measures to protect customers and staff, including table service and collecting contact details.
• Face coverings will be required in hospitality settings at all times apart from when seated.
• Large events will not be allowed indoors or outdoors. The maximum number of people who can gather at an indoor event will be 30 and 50 outdoors.
• There will be an exception for team sports, up to 50 spectators will be able to gather, in addition to those taking part. There is also an exception for events involving children.

A press release with further details can be found at: https://gov.wales/strengthened-measures-to-keep-wales-safe-as-omicron-strikes

The Scottish Government also announced further measures that will come into force after Christmas.

From 5:00am on 26th December attendance at large events will be limited to:
• 100 people for indoor standing events
• 200 people for indoor seated events
• 500 people for all outdoor events seated or standing

Organisers of large professional sporting fixtures will have discretion over whether to admit spectators up to these limits.

Also from 26th December, guidance will be updated to advise against indoor activities where physical distancing cannot be maintained, including non-professional adult contact sports.

Then from 5:00am on 27th December there will be a requirement for one metre physical distancing between adults in all indoor hospitality and leisure settings, including:
• pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and other settings where food and drink is served for consumption on-site
• leisure settings including gyms, theatres, cinemas, bingo and snooker halls and bowling alleys
• museums, galleries and other visitor attractions

Table service will be required in settings where alcohol is served for consumption on the premises.

Physical distancing will not be required in places of worship or on public transport, however existing mitigations for these settings will continue to apply.

Further details can be found in a press release at: https://www.gov.scot/news/further-measures-needed-to-reduce-contacts/