Coronavirus live news: South Korea to close bars and clubs amid fourth wave fears

Good morning from London, it’s Martin Belam taking over from Kate Lyons here. PA have put together a handy guide to the state of play with Covid restrictions in the UK.

Wales: The Welsh government announced yesterday it had decided to lift restrictions on household mingling a week earlier than planned. Two households will be able to meet indoors from 3 May instead of 10 May.

The reopening of gyms and leisure centres has also been brought forward a week from 10 May 10 to 3 May, including for one-to-one training, although group exercise classes remain banned. Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people and wedding receptions for up to 30 people will be permitted outdoors from 26 April – again a week earlier than previously announced.

Scotland: As of Good Friday, the stay-at-home order has been lifted across Scotland, allowing people to travel locally for non-essential purposes.

Last Monday, hairdressers and barbers reopened for pre-booked appointments, while click and collect shopping was again permitted, and homeware shops and garden centres began welcoming back customers. In person teaching and outdoor sport also resumed for 12-to-17-year-olds. Scotland is currently on course to ease restrictions further from 26 April.

That Rosie Glow hairdressers in Edinburgh, run by Rosie Fraser, is among businesses that have reopened in Scotland.


That Rosie Glow hairdressers in Edinburgh, run by Rosie Fraser, is among businesses that have reopened in Scotland. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

Northern Ireland: As of 1 April in Northern Ireland, up to six people from no more than two households have been permitted to meet outdoors in a private garden. Ten people, from no more than two households, are able to participate in outdoor sporting activities.

Golf courses have reopened, although clubhouses must remain closed, and click-and-collect purchases from garden centres and plant nurseries are now allowed.

England: As of 29 March, rules in England were eased to allow groups of up to six people, from any number of households, or a group of any size from up to two households, to gather in parks and gardens The Government’s “stay at home” order was replaced with “stay local” and people are still asked to work from home where possible, and overseas travel remains banned.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (L) and Shadow Secretary of State for Business Ed Miliband playing basketball during a campaign visit to Fairfield Play Centre in London, which is reopen for business.


Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (L) and Shadow Secretary of State for Business Ed Miliband playing basketball during a campaign visit to Fairfield Play Centre in London, which is reopen for business. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts reopened, with organised adult and children’s sport – including grassroots football – able to return.

From 12 April at the earliest, shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries and outdoor hospitality venues such as beer gardens will be allowed to reopen. Most outdoor attractions, such as zoos and theme parks, can reopen, although wider social distancing rules will still apply to prevent indoor mixing between different households.