Current coronavirus guidelines on meeting others

Yes, however, adults should try to limit the number of other households they see each day. The fewer people we meet, the less chance we have of passing the virus to lots of different households. So try to limit contact to the friends and family you really want to see!

At all levels, children under 12 don’t count towards the number of households or the number of people when you’re meeting outdoors.

Some people can form an extended household with another family or person who they don’t live with. Our guide to extended households explains more.

Check the dropdown list above to see how many people you can meet with outdoors.

This depends on the level your area is in.

All levels

• Children under 12 don’t count towards the number of people who can meet up indoors, but they do count towards the number of households.
• The numbers of people you can meet indoors are different depending on where you’re meeting. You can meet in slightly larger groups in indoor public places such as cafés and restaurants than you can in private homes. This is because we know that the risk of passing the virus on to other people is higher when meeting in homes. Some indoor socialising in public places is allowed at all levels, although no in home socialising is allowed in levels 3 and 4.
• Whatever your level, if you’re part of an extended household, all members of the extended household can meet in each other's homes. Our guide to extended households explains more. 
• When you share parenting with someone, but live in separate homes, your child or children can continue to visit both homes. Our page on shared parenting has more information.
• There are some exemptions to allow for informal childcare. Read our guide to childcare to learn more.
• If you’re meeting indoors, everyone should follow good hygiene, by washing hands regularly and keeping surfaces clean.

Check the dropdown list above to see how many people you can meet with inside in your area.

Whatever level your area is in, another person can come into your home to provide care and support for a vulnerable person. This can include providing emotional support for someone whose wellbeing is at risk, including for those who are isolated because of disability or a caring situation or where they are a parent or carer of a child under one. So if you feel this applies to you, then a friend, family member or support worker can visit you in your home to provide this support. This person doesn’t have to be part of your extended household.

If you feel this applies to you, it doesn’t matter whether you are on your own with your child or live with someone else (for example, your partner or an older child). However, this person must be there to provide you with support because you’re feeling vulnerable or worried about your wellbeing, it isn’t just a social visit.

The person who comes to support you can travel from another local authority area or elsewhere in the UK if necessary. This is because travel for childcare or parental support services and travel to provide care, assistance, support to or respite for a vulnerable person are permitted.

When they’re visiting, make sure you stick to physical distancing and hygiene guidelines to ensure you both stay safe.

Again, the number of people you can meet depends on the level you’re in. Whatever level you’re in, children under 12 don’t count towards the number of people you’re meeting indoors but they do count towards the number of households.

Check the dropdown list above to see how many people you can meet with inside in your area.

If you’re in level 3 or 4, some public places may not be open. This table on the Scottish Government website sets out when cinemas, cafés, bowling centres and other leisure, entertainment and hospitality venues can open.

Whatever level your area is in, children can get together to play outdoors and can even have small parties outdoors as long as you follow the rules on meeting other people set out in the dropdown list at the top of the page. However, this shouldn’t be seen as an excuse to get lots of children together – try to limit it to a few close friends. Children spending time playing together is important, but it’s also important that we’re careful. Be aware of how many people your child is seeing, and try to keep the number as low as possible while still letting them have fun.

Remember, you shouldn’t share food between households. Blowing out birthday candles and singing are unfortunately also risk factors for spreading the virus, so should be avoided. We know that this doesn't sound like any fun, but it's important to keep each other safe.

Levels 0-2

In levels 0-2, your child can have a party in your home or in a public place like a café or leisure centre, as long as you stick to the rules on meeting other people, set out in the dropdown list at the top of the page.

Levels 3-4

If you’re in level 3 or 4, your child can’t have a playdate or a party with anyone from another household inside a home.

However, they can have a party indoors in a public place like a café or leisure centre, as long as you follow the guidance on meeting other households, set out in the dropdown list at the top of the page.

Bear in mind that some public places may be shut.

Yes, you can meet outside in an outdoor communal space or private garden as long as you follow the rules outlined above (see ‘can I meet up with friends and family outdoors?’).

If you need to go through someone's house to access their garden, you should do so quickly and without touching anything. 

If you need to use their toilet, avoid touching surfaces with your hands as much as possible, wipe any surfaces that you do touch with antibacterial wipes, wash your hands thoroughly, dry your hands with a freshly laundered towel or a paper towel, which you should dispose of in a closed bin.

If members of another household are going to visit you outside and might need to use your toilet, make sure cleaning materials are available. You should also provide either a hand towel for each visiting household or paper towels and a safe disposal option.

Whatever level you're in, carers can continue to go into homes to provide care. If someone from your household or a household you want to meet up with has a carer to help them, that carer is considered to be part of the same household as the person they care for, even if they don’t actually live with them. This means they can join when you meet up with other households, as long as you follow the rules about meeting up with other households as set out in the drop-down list at the top of the page.

You can read the Scottish Government’s advice for unpaid carers here.

Teenagers can meet up as long as they follow the rules for their area's level. Our page on coronavirus guidelines for children and young people explains more.

Levels 0-2

In level 0-2, if you’re meeting friends or family in a private garden or home, you no longer need to maintain physical distancing. However, you should still be very careful, especially with friends or family members who are on the shielding list. Remember that close contact increases the chance of catching or passing on COVID-19, so try to limit the number of people you have close contact with.

When you’re out and about in indoor or outdoor public spaces, it’s really important to still maintain physical distancing.

Levels 3-4

In levels 3 and 4, you must maintain physical distancing from anyone aged 12 and over who isn’t part of your household or extended household.