Well, what a week it’s been. The UK government has announced a raft of new measures designed to try and curb the spread of the virus.
It comes as the UK has recorded more than 6,000 new cases of coronavirus for the first time since the start of May.
If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’ll know pubs and restaurants across the UK now have a curfew of 10pm and workers have been told to work from home if they can.
But what else do you need to know? Here are some of the guideline changes you might’ve missed.
Table service is exempt in McDonald’s and Pret.
Food and drink outlets are now restricted to table service only. Some places had been doing this already, but it’s no longer voluntary.
After a bit of confusion over how table service would work in fast food chains and sandwich shops, the government confirmed restaurants without an alcohol licence do not need to serve customers at tables, meaning McDonald’s and Pret are exempt.
So yes, that means you can still go up to the counter and order your Happy Meal – and you can dine in the restaurant, too.
You can now have sex with your partner you don’t live with.
They snuck that one in. The new rules in England read that you don’t need to socially distance from someone you’re in an “established relationship” with. Happy news for many, we’re sure.
In Scotland, the rules state: “Children whose parents do not live in the same household can move between homes, as can non-cohabiting couples.”
And in Wales, since 22 August 2020, people have been able to form an exclusive extended household with up to three other households – meaning couples who don’t live together will have already been able to mix (if they are in each other’s extended household). In Northern Ireland, however, the rules state: “Households are no longer allowed to mix indoors in private homes.”
You should only stop at service stations if you really need to.
People are being told to limit the time they spend at garages, petrol stations and motorway services. “Try to keep your distance from other people and if possible pay by contactless,” reads the new advice. Oh, and make sure you wash or sanitise your hands when exiting or re-entering your vehicle.
You shouldn’t share a vehicle with a friend.
If you’re travelling somewhere, you shouldn’t share a vehicle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble.
If you have to share a car ride, the UK government advises to open windows for ventilation; wear face covers; travel side-by-side or behind other people, rather than facing them; and clean the car between journeys.
You can still get a takeaway after 10pm.
While restaurants and pubs will be forced to close from 10pm, people can still order takeaways after that time for delivery to their homes. They just can’t eat the takeaway in the restaurant where it’s made.
This article has been updated to share specific rules on whether non-cohabiting couples can mix in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.