Despite concerns about the emerging Indian Covid variant, lockdown restrictions in both Wales and England are set to ease dramatically from next week.
Monday, May 17 will see big changes as indoor hospitality is allowed to re-open and foreign travel can resume. Falling coronavirus cases and the success of the vaccination rollout means that restrictions are also being relaxed on that day for other parts of the UK.
The situation with the Indian variant is being "closely monitored" in both countries, and there are concerns that some local lockdowns might need to be put in place but generally the roadmaps set out previously are being followed.
Here are how the rules in each country compare:
Foreign Travel
International travel will be able to resume from Monday but extra safeguards will be put in place for people returning from some countries. Holidaymakers will be able to travel abroad under a 'traffic light system', with countries rated green, amber or red based on their Covid risk.
Travellers to countries rated green will not need to isolate on their return, but they will need to take a Covid-19 test before and after their trip. Arrivals from amber countries will still need to quarantine, while red-list countries have the strictest rules, with only UK or Irish nationals, or UK residents, allowed to return - and they must pay for a 10-day stay in a Government quarantine hotel.
In Wales, the Welsh Government is encouraging people not to holiday abroad, urging people to travel abroad only if essential. Everyone returning from a green-list country will have to book and pay for a test on their return. And all travellers and their household members will be reminded about using additional lateral flow tests for follow-up tests at home.
First Minister Mark Drakeford told the coronavirus briefing on Friday: "There will be no English-style test-to-release scheme for Welsh travellers returning from amber list countries. This is because around a third of people who have developed coronavirus linked to travel have done so five days after arriving in Wales. I know many people have been looking forward to a holiday abroad, but travel will be very different to what it was before the pandemic."
Holidaymakers from England who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be able to “prove” their status to other countries using the NHS app.
From May 24, people in Wales will be able to apply for a paper coronavirus vaccine and should be able to use the app four weeks later. See how it will work in Wales here.
Indoor hospitality
From Monday, cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants in Wales will be allowed to open indoors again. Businesses will have to provide table service and the rule of six is still in place. The rules pubs in Wales will have to follow are here.
Indoor hospitality will also be able to re-open in England. The requirement to order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) will remain. There are no curfews or requirements to order food alongside drinks in either country.
Hugging
Boris Johnson says people in England will be able to hug loved ones from Monday. The Prime Minister said people should consider the vulnerability of their loved ones and use common sense.
But First Minister Mark Drakeford is being more cautious in Wales as he awaits further scientific evidence on the Indian variant. Read everything that he had to say here.
On Friday, he told WalesOnline: "On hugging, the rules will not be changing on Monday in that regard. When people are with their household bubble they will be able to behave as they would outside the house but with others the two-metre rule will still apply here in Wales.
"The cabinet did discuss whether we could ease those rules but at that moment the current concerns about the Indian variant were beginning to come to the surface and on the advice of our chief medical officers and advisers we have decided to pause any easements there while we see the advice that SAGE will provide."
Meeting indoors and outdoors
In England, people will be able to meet socially indoors in a group of six, or with one other household. From May 17, you will be able to meet with up to 30 people outdoors.
In Wales people from two different households are allowed to meet indoors, and that is not likely to change until any further rule changes which would likely come into force from June 7. From Monday, up to 30 people can take part in organised indoor activities and up to 50 people in organised outdoor activities.
The First Minister has indicated that there could be further changes to the number of people who could meet up, but no numbers or number of households have been given.
The UK Government website says on meeting people inside in England: "Make sure the space is well ventilated. Open windows and doors, or take other action to let in plenty of fresh air. Bringing fresh air into a room and removing older stale air that may contain virus particles reduces the chance of spreading Covid-19. The more fresh air that is brought inside, the quicker any airborne virus will be removed from the room."
UK tourism
Indoor tourism accommodation can re-open in Wales from Monday.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has urged caution about travelling aboard this summer, saying Wales has so much to offer people.
He said: "People will be able to travel abroad to green list countries and not need to quarantine on their return but the advice is, that unless you need to travel, then it is much safer to stay and enjoy everything that we have to offer in Wales.
"This is the year to think about your own safety, and that of other people. Enjoy Wales. It is a fantastic place with so much to offer."
Earlier this week, Boris Johnson confirmed that England is moving to Step 3 of the lockdown roadmap from Monday, meaning that accommodation, such as hotels, hostels and B&Bs can also re-open.
Cases in your area by postcode:
Weddings
Newlyweds in England and Wales will be able to share their big day with up to 30 friends and family from Monday.
Under the government rules in England up to 30 guests can attend a reception or celebration, an increase from a maximum of 15 people who have been allowed at such events since April 12.
On Friday, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that up to 30 people can take part in organised indoor activities in Wales and up to 50 people in organised outdoor activities. This includes wedding receptions, funerals and wakes.
In England, dancing is advised against due to the increased risk of transmission, although the couple are allowed to have their first dance.
Receptions can take place indoors, but not in a private home, or outdoors where it could be allowed to take place in a private garden. Face coverings must be worn by everyone, both guests and staff, who attends the wedding ceremony or reception except when they are eating or drinking.
The Welsh Government has indicated it would increase the number of people who can meet outdoors and the number of people who can attend organised activities and events, including wedding receptions, to 50 indoors and 100 outdoors from June 7.
Face masks in schools
In English schools, pupils will no longer be required to wear face coverings in schools and colleges from Monday.
Boris Johnson said pupils will no longer be required to wear face coverings in the classroom or communal areas in schools and colleges, saying it will improve interaction between teachers and students.
The English Government explained: "Transmission of the virus in schools continues to decrease in line with wider community transmission, with the latest statistics showing a significant drop in the number of teachers and staff testing positive.
"The decision has taken into consideration the latest scientific evidence, medical advice and stakeholder feedback on the impacts of wearing face coverings in schools and colleges."
But no date has been given in Wales for when pupils can stop wearing face masks in class.
First Minister Mark Drakeford told WalesOnline on Friday: "Whether we might, by the autumn, be able to have young people returning to schools with a vaccine available to them and as a result some of the measures we currently have in schools, such as children wearing masks, might be able to be eased because vaccination will have been moved lower down the age range."
Indoor attractions and large events
Indoor attractions like museums, cinemas, bowling alleys and theatres, as well as stately homes, will be allowed to open in both Wales and England from Monday.
Some large events, including conferences, theatre and concert performances and sports events can also go ahead in England.
National Museum Wales has announced that it will begin to reopen its museums to the public next week.
The indoor areas of St Fagans National Museum of History, National Museum Cardiff and National Waterfront Museum Swansea will all reopen on Wednesday, May 19.
The National Slate Museum, Llanberis, and Big Pit National Coal Museum will reopen on Thursday, May 20. The underground tour will not be available at present.
All museums will also be open on the Bank Holidays – Monday, May 31 and Monday, August 30.
