Covid: Can people from Wales go for a drink in England?

In Wales people are still out and about shopping, but what is happening over the border?

It's the run up to a Christmas like no other and we are all trying to figure out what we can and cannot do to get ready, while keeping others safe.

Welsh pubs, restaurants and cafes will be banned from serving alcoholic drink apart from takeaways from Friday and will be unable to open to customers beyond 18:00 GMT in a bid to curb a rise in coronavirus cases.

People in Wales will be able to travel to parts of England from Friday.

So what do England's tiers mean for those living and working in Wales?

Can I go to the pub in England?

Yes. In a word.

There will be restrictions but as cross-border travel rules are relaxed on Friday from 18:00, you can go to places in tiers one and two - but not to areas under the strictest measures in tier three.

• Travel allowed between Wales and parts of England

• Wales 'must act now' to curb Covid spread

• What do the new rules mean for pubs in Wales?

• Shops allowed to open 24-hours a day over Christmas

It means travel to places like London, Liverpool, Chester, Cheltenham and Bath will be possible within the new rules - which start at 18:00 on Friday - but not to Manchester, Birmingham or Bristol.

There are caveats, though.

While pubs in two of England's three 'tiers' can now open - and every English county that borders Wales is in tier two - you can only buy alcohol as part of a "substantial meal".

One cabinet minister did say drinkers in those tier two areas of England can order a Scotch egg with their pint to keep in line with post-lockdown rules.

The tier two rules also mean you cannot "mix with anyone who is not part of your household or support bubble" when indoors.

The Welsh Government is urging people against cross-border travel in an attempt to curb rising coronavirus rates.

"We are advising people in Wales not to travel into those parts of England and Scotland where the infection rate is lower, to help prevent them taking coronavirus with them," First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.

"Coronavirus doesn't respect borders - we all have a part to play in keeping Wales and the UK safe. Please think carefully about where you are going and what you are doing. This virus thrives wherever we come together with others."

Can I see family and friends in England?

Well, it depends what area of England they live in.

The rise in Wales' coronavirus infection rate slowed down due to the 'firebreak' lockdown

You can see loved ones in England's tier one, within the local rules of that area.

But you can't go to see family or friends if they live in England's highest tier - which is most of the north east and west, Yorkshire and the Humber, parts of the West Midlands and parts of the south east and west of England.

However, if you've a loved one in England in your support bubble, you can still visit them no matter what tier they are in.

Up to three households can form an exclusive "bubble" to meet indoors during the Christmas period

But people are being urged not to take that trip unless they have to.

• How many Covid deaths and cases have there been in Wales?

• Postcode check: What tier do my friends or relatives live in?

• What tier is your area in?

There are exceptions in all of England's tiers for childcare and support bubbles.

If you do travel to visit your support bubble, once in England you will need to follow the rules that apply there.

What about Scotland?

Travel into Scotland's top tiers - levels three and four - is not allowed, much like England's tier three areas, except for essential reasons.

So places like Glasgow, Stirling and Livingston are among the eleven local authority areas with the highest Covid measures as all non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants and gyms are shut until 11 December.

At level three, alcohol sales are not allowed and cafes and restaurants can only serve food and non-alcoholic drinks and must close at 18:00.

But travel into those areas is banned unless you're part of an "extended household".

Can I go to Northern Ireland?

No.

A two-week circuit-breaker took effect on 27 November to try to reduce transmission of the virus and Welsh legislations prevents travel

Where can I go Christmas Shopping?

Are you fed up of all that online shopping and fancy a look around some real shops?

People are advised by governments to shop locally if they go Christmas shopping

Well, you can do that in any area of the UK - as long as it isn't under the strictest Covid measures.

So places like Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Northern Ireland are out of bounds.

But you can can shop anywhere else although governments are advising people to remain in their local regions.

Any chance of a Christmas getaway?

How lovely would it be to have a little bit of winter sun?

Well, international travel is allowed again but the government advises that you don't unless it is "essential".

Festive breaks or getaways abroad are now allowed subject to possible quarantine on return

People will be subject to existing 14-day quarantine rules on return, depending on where you've been, but the outright ban on travelling abroad is gone.

What about driving home for Christmas?

For those wanting to drive home to see family and friends to celebrate over the festive period, new rules will be introduced.

From 23 to 27 December, people from across the UK will be able to meet.

But with numbers limited to three households, some larger families, and those who have relatives who have separated, this may lead to difficult choices when arranging the dinner table.