Freedom Day UK Is Here: What You Can Do, Should Do and Must Not Do

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Simply quote the code ‘FREEDOM10’ at checkout.

Are you unsure about what remains the law and what is general guidance?

See the guide to avoid any confusion.

There are now new questions you may have such as whether it's possible to order drinks standing at a bar to where and when mask-wearing is appropriate. Some things are a matter of personal conscience while other things remain Covid legislation by law. Even if something may be legal, does it mean that it's safe to do so, consider the points below:

What People Can Do:

• Go to a nightclub, concert, or sporting event. All legal restrictions around mass gatherings will be lifted, although organisers are expected to ensure attendees have been vaccinated or have been tested negative prior to attendance.
• Order drinks from a bar. Restrictions that mandate table service will be lifted on Monday.
• Attend a wedding, funeral, or life event with an unlimited number of guests.
• Worship with an unlimited number of people.

What People Should Do:

• Continue to limit the number of people you meet indoors or outdoors. The Government is advising people to minimise the ‘number, proximity and duration of social contact’ despite the end of restrictions.
  
• Keep social distance. People are encouraged to ‘exercise common sense and consider the risks’ of social situations.
• Limit seeing family and friends. The guidance states ‘you should limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with and increase close contact gradually’.
• Only see people inside with ventilation. Government guidance says that people should either spend time ‘outside or let fresh air in’ as long as the spread of coronavirus in communities remains high.
• ‘Check in’ when at larger or high-risk events. Using the NHS Covid App to ‘check in’ will no longer be mandatory, although ministers ‘encourage organisations in higher-risk settings to use the NHS Covid Pass as a condition of entry.
• Scan the NHS Covid app when visiting a restaurant, event, or business. Businesses collecting customer details through the NHS Covid App will ‘no longer be a legal requirement, but it is still advisable as a matter of social responsibility.
• Wear a face covering. Face coverings will no longer be mandatory but the Government still ‘expects and recommends’ their use in crowded settings such as public transport.
• Work from home. People who have worked from home during the pandemic should ‘return to work gradually’, the Health Secretary has advised.
• Only meet vulnerable people outside. Those who are clinically vulnerable have been told it is ‘important that you continue to be cautious.
• Avoid crowded places if vulnerable. The clinically vulnerable are advised that they may only want to visit supermarkets ‘at quieter times of the day.
• Avoid unvaccinated people if you are vulnerable. People who are vulnerable are also asked to do what ‘feels right for you and your friends.
• Get a test if offered by your workplace or school. Britons are told they should test regularly in ‘education and high-risk workplaces’ where rapid coronavirus testing is offered.

What People Must Not Do:

• Leave home if you test positive. It will remain law that you have to self-isolate if you test positive for coronavirus, even if you have no symptoms.
  
• Leave home, if identified as a contact by Test and Trace (until Aug 16). It will remain law that you have to self-isolate if identified as a contact by NHS Test and Trace, even if you do not have coronavirus yourself.
  
• Leave home if not fully vaccinated and identified as a contact by Test and Trace (until Aug 16). From then, those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to self-isolate if identified as a close contact by NHS Test and Trace, but those who have not had both vaccines must continue to isolate.
• Leave quarantine if unvaccinated and returning from an amber list country. Existing isolation rules around foreign travel will remain in place.
  
• Leave hotel quarantine if returning from a red list country.