Restrictions are slowly being eased in different ways and at varying speeds across the UK. Here Mark Smith takes a look at the situation in each of the four nations

MEETING FRIENDS AND FAMILY Wales:

Two households can meet one another, and there are no restrictions on how many people this can involve.

However, it must still be done outdoors with social distancing measures in place. People must also “stay local” and remain within five miles of their homes. The only exception to travelling beyond that distance to see loved ones is on “compassionate grounds”.

Up to six people from different households can meet outdoors providing they adhere to social distancing.

On Saturday, June 13, it was announced that people who live alone – or single parents with dependent children – can form a “bubble” and meet indoors with one other household.

People from one household can meet with people from up to two other households outdoors.

While these do not always have to be the same households,the Scottish Government’s advice is that people should not meet more than two other households in one day.

Similarly, those who live alone – or single parents with children under 18 – can now form an “extended household” and meet indoors with one other household.

Similarly to England, up to six people from different households can meet outdoors providing they adhere to social distancing. On Saturday, June 13 it was announced that people who live alone can form a “small support unit” with one other household and meet indoors.

England: Scotland: Northern Ireland: NON-ESSENTIAL SHOPS Wales:

All non-essential retail can now open in Wales from Monday, June 22 providing they have measures in place to comply with two-metre social distancing.

First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that hairdressers should use the next three weeks to make preparations to resume services by appointment only. Garden centres were allowed to open their doors from June 1.

On Monday, June 15 non-essential shops in England were allowed to reopen providing social distancing measures were in place. Garden centres reopened on May 13.

Most shops in Scotland are due to reopen from Monday, June 29 – the most cautious approach of any UK nation.

However, indoor shopping centres will remain closed except for essential retailers such as supermarkets and pharmacists.

Garden centres were allowed to reopen on May 29.

England: Scotland: Northern Ireland:

Non-food retail outlets were allowed to open with a lower frequency of customers from Monday, June 8. The least cautious UK nation in this regard has also announced that it will allow hairdressers to open on Monday, July 6.

Garden centres were allowed to reopen on May 18.

TRAVEL Wales:

For at least the next two weeks, people in Wales are being told to “stay local” with a five-mile “rule of thumb” in place.

However, this restriction will be lifted on Monday, July 6, “if conditions allow”. It means from that date people are likely to be able to visit holiday destinations across Wales, as well as see family members outdoors outside their own localities.

There are no restrictions on how far people can travel in England.

Similar to Wales, as a guide people are asked to stay within five miles of their home. However, that limit does not apply to meeting family and friends.

There are no restrictions on how far people can travel.

England: Scotland: Northern Ireland: SCHOOLS Wales:

Schools are set to reopen on Monday, June 29 but only a third of pupils will be allowed in at any one time. The term will be extended by one week to end on July 27 to give children and staff time to catch up before the summer break. The autumn half-term in October will be extended from one week to two.

England began a phased reopening of primary schools on June 1, welcoming children in nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6. There had been an aim for all primary pupils to spend four weeks in school before the summer break, but that has now been scrapped. Some year 10 and 12 pupils have now returned to secondary schools and colleges.

Schools are preparing to reopen under a “blended model” of at-school and at-home learning on August 11.

England: Scotland: Northern Ireland:

Pupils in key year groups such as years 7, 12 and 14 will return to school on August 24. The rest of the school population will go back to class at the start of September.

PUBLIC AMENITIES Wales:

Waste and recycling centres opened on May 28, followed by libraries on June 1. Places of worship will now reopen on Monday, June 22 where social distancing is maintained and gatherings do not take place.

Waste and recycling centres opened on May 13, however libraries are still closed. From Monday, June 15 places of worship were allowed to open for individual prayer in line with social distancing guidelines.

Waste and recycling centres opened on June 1, however libraries are still closed. Places of worship will be able to open their doors again for private prayer from Monday, June 22.

Waste and recycling centres opened on May 18, however libraries are still closed. Places of worship are open for private prayer.

England: Scotland: Northern Ireland: SPORTS Wales:

Outdoor sports courts will be opened from Monday, June 22, but social distancing must be maintained. Nocontact or team sports are allowed.

Elite athletes, including Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, will also be able to resume training from June 22.

Outdoor sports courts were allowed to reopen in England on May 10 for small groups. Elite athletes were also permitted to start training from June 1. Premier League matches are now being played behind closed doors.

Professional sport can resume behind closed doors from Monday, June 22. Outdoor playgrounds and outdoor sports courts will be allowed to reopen from June 29.

England: Scotland: Northern Ireland:

Outdoor playgrounds and outdoor sports courts were allowed to reopen on June 8.

FACE MASKS Wales:

The use of face coverings is advised where social distancing is not possible.

England:

The use of face coverings is advised where social distancing is not possible. However, from June 15 they were made compulsory on public transport.

From Monday, June 22 face masks will be mandatory on all public transport.

Scotland: Norther Ireland:

The use of face coverings is advised where social distancing is not possible.