Travelling between Scotland, England and Wales: what the new UK lockdown travel rules mean as coronavirus restrictions are relaxed

The latest major changes to lockdown restrictions came into effect on 4 July.

The changes were targeted at the reopening of the hospitality sector, with plans in place to reopen pubs, restaurants, cinemas, museums, hairdressers and other businesses early next month.

Guidance on visiting family and friends, and social distancing measures, were also among the new measures.

England’s move on easing its measures began a trend which saw the other devolved nations of the UK follow a similar path, and Scotland has since introduced its own "careful and cautious" easing of coronavirus restrictions.

So can you travel between both Scotland and England?

Here's everything you need to know:

What are the new rules in England?

The following businesses have been allowed to reopen as long as they ensure the premises are safe:

- Pubs/bars

- Restaurants/cafes

- Hairdressers/barbers

- Some leisure facilities – such as outdoor gyms and children’s playgrounds

- Cinemas

- Museums/galleries

- Theme parks and arcades/funfairs

- Libraries

- Social clubs/community centres

- Places of worship

- Theatres and concert halls but not for live performances

- Indoor attractions at aquariums, zoos, safari parks, farms and wildlife centres

The Government also relaxed the two metre distance requirement in environments where it is difficult to maintain this. People now have to remain at least one metre apart in such venues.

What are the new rules in Scotland?

As of 19 June, people from one household have been able to meet with people from up to two other households outdoors in Scotland.

These two households can meet together or separately, and the rules state it does not always have to be the same households that meet.

However, there should be no more than two households together at one time, no more meetings than two per day, and groups should also not exceed more than eight people at one time.

From 3 July, the restriction on Scots travelling no more than five miles from their home for leisure and recreational purposes was lifted.

However, Ms Sturgeon urged people not to travel unnecessarily, and to avoid travelling to crowded places.

Can I travel between Scotland and England?

Despite calls to do so early in the coronavirus crisis, the UK is not leaving lockdown in "lockstep" – each of the four devolved nations are instead taking different approaches to easing their restrictions.

Since lockdown measures differ in each nation of the UK, households have been advised not to travel between them, and instead must "respect" each area's measures.

But with new rules introduced in England and Scotland, does this change?

Scottish residents have been told they can travel further to visit family (outdoors and with social distancing measures in place), provided they can get there and back in a day.

For example, if you lived in Dumfries you could go and see a relative across the border in Carlisle, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government told The Scotsman.

However, it’s not advised to travel too far, for example to places further south in England, or to Wales, since you wouldn’t be able to go there and come back in the same day.

Can I travel to Wales?

Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford said the Welsh tourism sector reopen begin to reopon from 6 July.

This coincided with the Welsh Government’s five-mile travel restriction and “stay local” messages being lifted as the coronavirus outbreak remained under control, giving the green light to day trips from within Wales and across the border.

“Self-contained accommodation” can reopen “safely and carefully” to holidaymakers from 13 July, pending the next Welsh lockdown review on 9 July.

Included under the umbrella of self-contained accommodation are static caravans and “hotels that are organised on a self-contained basis”, such as those converted to self-catering lets that are available to rent out in their entirety.