NEW RULES EXPLAINED...

WORK FROM HOME IF YOU CAN

OFFICE staff who can work effectively from home should do so. Public sector employees in essential services should go to work where necessary. Anyone who cannot operate from home should work in a Covid- secure environment.

FINES

COVID- secure guidelines will be a legal obligation for retail, leisure and tourism firms, with those not complying running the risk of fines of £ 10,000 or closure. The penalty for not wearing a mask or breaking the rule of six will double to £ 200.

HOSPITALITY CURFEWS

HOSPITALITY, leisure, entertainment and tourism businesses must close to the public between 10pm and 5am.

Takeaways can deliver outside these hours. All pubs, bars and restaurants must provide a table service only.

FACE COVERINGS

FACE coverings will be mandatory for staff working in retail and hospitality roles, customers in indoor hospitality ( apart from when eating or drinking) and passengers travelling in taxis and private hire vehicles.

INDOOR SPORT AND SPECTATOR SPORT

THE rule of six has been extended to indoor adult sports. The planned changes for a return of business events and socially distanced crowds at sporting events on October 1 have been paused.

FUNERALS AND WEDDINGS

WEDDING ceremonies and receptions in England are to be capped at 15 people, but not until Monday.

Funeral services are exempt from the restrictions, with the maximum number of mourners remaining at 30.

SHIELDING

VULNERABLE people will not have to shield from the virus unless they live where local lockdowns are in force.

People at risk of the bug will be sent letters with advice telling them to stay inside in areas where cases are rising.