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While South Africa remains in Alert Level 1, with Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout set to begin today, the restrictions in the UK are loosening up a bit more.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is going ahead with the third stage of easing national lockdown measures from today, which means more socialising and less awkward handshake-turned-elbow touching for the Brits.

If they do that there? Anyway, they’re officially allowed to hug now.

Although there are some major concerns regarding the COVID-19 variant first identified in India becoming a problem in the country, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News it was “appropriate to continue down the roadmap” while the impact of the variant was being closely studied.

The main changes to the rules include indoor and outdoor mixing, as well as indoor hospitality reopening.

Of course, the relaxing of the rules doesn’t come without a warning to be “cautious and careful” as the risks are still very much present.

Here are some of the changes:

Socialising:

People can meet outdoors in groups of up to 30 people.

Hospitality can open indoors – but diners and drinkers must remain seated.

People can hug those close to them but they should remain cautious as this remains a way of transmitting COVID-19.

Sports and entertainment:

Indoor entertainment and outdoor large performances and sporting events can open again.

Wedding and funerals:

Both are allowed, but guests cannot dance at weddings.

Education:

Face coverings are no longer needed by secondary school and college pupils in classrooms or communal areas, and twice-weekly testing must take place.

Holiday and travel:

Travel restrictions are lifted under a traffic light system – but people should only travel to green list countries, or amber if they really have to.

Here is more about how the traffic light system works:

Image: Department for Transport

South Africa is on the red list for travelling to the UK, which means anyone wanting to head over there will need to quarantine in a hotel for 11 nights at a cost of £1 750 (around R35 000).

To read more about the new rules, head here.

[source:skynews]