The government has announced new Covid rules for England – including working from home if possible and wearing masks in more public places.
From Friday 10 December, face coverings are mandatory for most indoor public venues including places of worship, theatres and cinemas – as well as on public transport and in places like shops and hairdressers.
Masks won’t be needed in pubs or restaurants, nor in venues like gyms where it’s “not practical to wear them”.
From Monday 13 December, people should work from home “if they can”.
From Wednesday 15 December (subject to parliamentary approval), people will need an NHS Covid Pass – showing their vaccination status or a recent negative lateral flow test – to gain entry to:
- Nightclubs
- Indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people
- Unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people
- Any venue with more than 10,000 people
The government also wants people to do a lateral flow test (LFT) before entering “a high-risk setting” – such as a crowded place – “involving people you wouldn’t normally come into contact with, or when visiting a vulnerable person”.
All over-40s in England are now able to book an appointment to have a Covid booster jab three months after their second dose.
If you’re 40 or over, or in a high-risk group, you can now book to have your booster jab 12 weeks after your second vaccine dose (or third, if you have a weakened immune system and had to have an extra primary dose).
You can arrange your booking a month in advance – in other words, from two months (61 days) after your second jab.
The government says it aims to offer a booster to all UK adults, as well as a second primary dose to 12 to 15-year-olds.
