Coronavirus: Rules and restrictions across the UK
Guidance for members

21 December 2020

A comparison of the restrictions, guidance and proposals in each part of the UK, including key messages to consider.

This page is no longer updated. Please see Coronavirus and your practice.

Across the UK there are now significant local differences in the coronavirus restrictions. These particularly affect rules on face to face working as well as meeting other people, public and social gatherings and events, and the operation of hospitality and leisure venues.

England
On 2 December, regions were placed in one of three tiers - medium, high and very high – with most in Tier 3 (very high). These will be reviewed weekly.

Find out about the restrictions that apply in England

Scotland
Each area of Scotland has been placed in one of five Levels. On 11 December many areas moved down a level and restrictions were eased.

Read the latest announcement from the Scottish Government

Find out about the restrictions that apply in Scotland

Wales
Additional restrictions were put in place on 4 December.

See the latest guidance from the Welsh Government.

Northern Ireland
New regulations in Northern Ireland were introduced on 11 December following the end of the two week circuit-break lockdown.

See the latest guidance from the Northern Irish Government

Returning to work

Certain business premises, including leisure, and hospitality venues have been ordered to close. However, there are some key differences in advice on essential and non-essential work across the four nations of the UK:

people who can work from home should do so
workplaces should follow COVID-19 secure guidelines including carrying out a risk assessment, introducing increased hygiene and cleaning procedures and maintaining 2 metre distance where possible. Where this is not possible, steps must be taken to manage transmission risk.

From 2 December, regions have been placed into three tiers - medium, high and very high – with most in Tier 3 (very high). There is scope for face to face counselling to take place, including within Tier 3 areas, but workplaces and spaces should follow Covid-secure guidelines, including carrying out a Covid-19 risk assessment.

Before making a decision whether to return to face to face work practitioners must take into consideration the guidance and personal circumstances. See Coronavirus and your practice for more details.

Practitioners and businesses maintaining face to face work have a legal responsibility to protect their employees and other people on site, including carrying out a risk assessment and making sensible adjustments to the physical work environment and workforce. If you do not carry out a risk assessment, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or your local council can issue an enforcement notice.

The wearing of face coverings is mandatory in a wide range of indoor settings where personal services are provided to clients. Exemptions may apply - see Returning to face to face working for details.

people are advised to work from home where possible
where it is not possible to work from home employers must take all reasonable measures to ensure a 2 metre distance is maintained

Working face to face appears possible under the guidance. However, it is for businesses and individuals to ensure they comply with any relevant legal duties and to interpret and apply the guidance as they see fit. It's the responsibility of employers and the self-employed to apply a risk-based approach and implement the precautions necessary to comply fully with public health advice.

All premises are required to take all reasonable measures to minimise the risks of spreading the virus. This includes measures to ensure 2 metre social distance is observed, as well as other measures such as restricting numbers, implementing one-way systems or limiting the time people can remain on the premises. Welsh Government has produced a simple guide on the five key steps businesses must take to minimise transmission

people are advised to work from home where possible in all levels. In Level 4 areas only essential indoor workplaces can open along with outdoor workplaces in construction and engineering.
businesses should only reopen if they consider their work essential, if their business is permitted to open within the tiered guidance, and they are confident that the workforce can practice social distancing and comply with health and safety standards

The current guidance provides scope for face to face counselling to provide essential services with appropriate mitigation and following relevant guidelines.

The framework outlines the following in relation to face to face counselling services:

Level 0-2: permitted where appropriate infection mitigation controls are in place
Level 3: permitted, online where possible
Level 4: permitted where essential for people’s wellbeing, online where possible

See our guidance on Scotland's tier system

For guidance on physical distancing see NHS Inform Scotland or our guidance on Returning to face to face working.

people are advised to work from home where possible
workplaces not required to close must follow social distancing and workplace safety guidance
the Department for the Economy has published a list of priority business sectors which should be supported to reopen, including services relating to mental health

Working face to face appears possible under the guidelines. There is currently no restriction on close contact services relating to essential health needs, including services relating to mental health. However it is for businesses and individuals to interpret and apply the guidance as they see fit.

Significant planning may be required to move to a new model of operating with the challenges of COVID-19. It's the responsibility of employers and self-employed persons to apply a risk-based approach and apply the precautions necessary (for example social distancing) to comply fully with public health advice.

It is mandatory to use face coverings in a public area indoors where social distancing is not possible. Exemptions may apply - see the NI Government website or our guidance on Returning to face to face working.

Domestic travel and meetings

The rules on meeting others outside your household differ by nation:

Face coverings and social distancing

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Disclaimer: The materials in this guidance are provided for general information purposes and do not constitute legal or other professional advice. While the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances may impact the accuracy and validity of the information. BACP is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any action or decision taken as a result of using the guidance. You should consult a professional adviser for legal or other advice where appropriate.