The full lifting of coronavirus restrictions in England may have been delayed by four weeks – from 21 June to 19 July 2021 – but the rules on sharing a car are now less limiting than during the official lockdowns.
The government says: ‘When car sharing, you should only travel in groups of no more than six people, or two households, unless you are travelling for a reason that is exempt.’
Ways you can reduce the risk of infection when sharing a car include:
- Sharing transport with the same people on every journey
- Minimising the size of the group
- Opening windows for ventilation
- Travelling side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them
- Facing away from each other
- Using seating arrangements to maximise distance between the car’s occupants
- Cleaning the vehicle between journeys
- Asking the driver and passengers to wear a face mask
Rules for taking a taxi
There are different rules for sharing a taxi or minicab. Again, you are limited to a group of six people from different households, or no more than two households for a larger group.
However, you must wear a face mask unless you are exempt. Failure to do so could result in a fine – and the driver is entitled to refuse entry to the vehicle. You should also pay via a contactless card if possible.
Click here to find out the local coronavirus restrictions in England. There are different restrictions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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