4 years ago
404 
Image copyright
Getty Images
With social distancing guidance in England changing to "one metre plus" from 4 July, how can you invite friends and family into your home safely?
Rules are different in each of the four UK nations.
So who will I be able to have in my own home?
Members of two households of any size can meet each other - either inside or outside - from Saturday 4 July in England.
You can meet different households at different times - and overnight stays are allowed - but no more than two households should meet at any one time.
Social distancing between people not in your household will still have to be observed - ideally at 2m (6ft), but at 1m if that's not possible.
Many people won't have seen family or friends for weeks but Prof Alison Sinclair, from the University of Sussex, offers words of caution.
"The hardest but most important thing to do is to postpone the visit if anyone in either household has any Covid-19 symptoms."
What about the rest of the UK?
In Scotland, three households will be able to meet indoors from 10 July - while socially distancing. They can already meet outside. The five-mile travel limit in Scotland is expected to be lifted from 3 July.
In Northern Ireland, social distancing rules will change from 2m to 1m on Monday 29 June. Groups of up to six people not in the same household can now meet indoors while social distancing. Up to 10 people can meet outside.
In Wales, any number of people from two different households can now meet outdoors observing social distancing - but meetings indoors are still not allowed. Families should aim to travel no more than five miles to meet.
How will I make 'one metre plus' work at home?
"If you can, you should meet and chat outside - even if you have to eat inside," says Prof Keith Neal, from the University of Nottingham.
But if you do have to gather in your living room remember the "plus" part of the new one metre guidelines.
Sit or stand side-by-side, rather than face-to-face Keep windows and doors open to improve ventilation Wear a face covering in crowded indoor environments Avoid talking loudly Don't sing"Remember our breath travels further when there is more force to it - like when you cough, shout or sing," says Prof Sinclair.
"Rearranging the seating in your room to maximise the distance between guests can also help reduce virus spread by respiratory droplets in the air."
Prof Sally Bloomfield, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says people shouldn't become complacent.
"Don't be tempted to think 'It won't happen to me - I won't bother'' Remember anyone can be infected and infectious, but not be showing any symptoms.
"So think of it like buckling up your car seat belt - just do it anyway."
What about touching surfaces?
Everyone should regularly wash their hands using soap and water - or hand sanitiser.
When you meet up, avoid touching surfaces or your face.
If you are the host, you should clean surfaces both before and after the meeting "wearing a pair of washing-up gloves", says Prof Sinclair. "That should remove any respiratory droplets."
Put a cloth and bleach spray in the toilet as well.
"Ask people to wash their hands, then disinfect any tap, loo seat or toilet handles they have touched," advises Prof Bloomfield. "As the host you should disinfect any 'frequent touch' surfaces after your guests leave."
She also says people should be inventive when it comes to family games - and avoid those with close contact, such as football and paddling pools.
What about eating together?
If you have to eat inside, the main risk will be aerosol/droplet transmission at the table during conversation - so remember to keep windows and doors open to increase ventilation.
Three of the four experts we have spoken to, say there's no need for guests to bring their own crockery and cutlery - but advise that everything should all be put in a dishwasher or a bowl of hot soapy water (and then rinsed in cold water) immediately after use.
But our fourth expert, Dr Julian Tang, from the University of Leicester, says to reduce transmission risk guests could be asked to bring their own plates, knives and forks - which they would then take home to wash.
"They could also bring their own salt and pepper, plus ketchup and vinegar, in their own containers," he adds.
Image copyright Getty ImagesThe experts we have spoken to offer the following advice:
Wash your hands before and after preparing food, eating food and washing up Put food straight on to plates and don't use large serving bowls which need to be handed round Avoid serving a lot of cold food which needs "handling" before and during a meal, like salads Use detergent or soapy water to regularly wipe down areas of the table and chairs where people will have put hands, fingers and elbows - then wash the clothWhat is a support bubble?
In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, single adults living alone - or single parents with children under 18 - can form an "exclusive" support bubble with one other household. They can visit each other's homes and not observe social distancing.
Wales is expected to make a decision on social bubbles in the next few weeks.
Who has to still stay at home?
People with certain underlying health conditions, or who are pregnant or aged over 70, are deemed to be clinically vulnerable. If you are in this category, you are advised to stay at home as much as possible.
Another group, of about 2.5 million people, is categorised as clinically extremely vulnerable. This group had been strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid face-to-face contact - so called "shielding".
"Shielders" in England can now go outside for daily exercise and, from 6 July, will also be to meet up to five other people outdoors while social distancing. They will also be allowed to form a support bubble. It is hoped that from 1 August they will be able to stop shielding. The guidance in Northern Ireland is similar.
In Wales, those shielding can now exercise close to home. There are similar rules in Scotland.
What if I have symptoms?
If you show symptoms of coronavirus - such as a dry cough, high temperature or loss of taste - you must take extra precautions.
You should self-isolate - stay at home and not leave it for any reason. Ask others to drop off food and medicines.
If England's NHS Test and Trace team contact you because you've been close to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, you must self-isolate for up to 14 days - even if you feel fine.
The people you live with don't have to self-isolate, but must take extra care regarding social distancing and hand washing.
There are similar tracing systems in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
