A practical guide to how to socialise now

The UK is starting to relax its coronavirus lockdown rules, meaning some of us can now see friends and family we have been separated from for months.

Under the new rules:

• From Monday, people in England can meet in groups of up to six people in outdoor spaces like parks or private gardens – as long as you remain two metres (six feet) apart
• In Scotland, members of two different households – up to eight people – are allowed to meet outdoors if they maintain social distancing
• In Wales, people from two different households will be able to meet each other outdoors from Monday while maintaining social distancing
• Groups of up to six people who are not in the same household can meet outdoors in Northern Ireland if they stay two metres apart

Details of the rules vary across the UK, so if you are living outside of England some of the advice below may not apply to you.