Second national lockdown : here is a guide to what you can and can't do under the new rules and restrictions.
Boris Johnson has put England into a second national lockdown from today until December 2 – here is a guide to what you can and can’t do under the new rules and restrictions.
Second lockdown rules and restrictions
- You can leave your house to take exercise and buy necessities
- You can buy necessities for your household or someone vulnerable.
- You can exercise outside to your heart’s desire, either alone or with members of your own household. A new rule means you can meet one friend or family member from another household in a public space to exercise but children under the age of 5 don’t count.
- You can go to places of worship alone.
- Estate agents are allowed to stay open and people can do house viewings and move house.
- You can go to dumps and recycling centres.
- Medical appointments and all forms of care for vulnerable people will continue.
- Close family members and friends can visit deathbeds
- You can not attend protests
Schools
- Schools and universities can remain open.
- The majority of universities have to do remote learning.
- schoolchildren need to wear masks in corridors
- Secondary school pupils have to wear masks in corridors and communal areas.
- Masks will not be used in classrooms for either teachers or pupils.
- Secondary pupils also must wear masks when they travel on school transport.
Jobs
- People who cannot do their jobs at home can continue to work
- Workplaces can remain open under Covid-secure guidelines if necessary.
- This means industries such as construction and manufacturing are allowed to continue operating.
- People who can work from home are advised to do so during the four-week lockdown.
There are exemptions for childcare
- Early years settings can remain open and some youth support can continue.
- Children whose parents are separated can still travel between households.
- Children under 13 can be cared for informally by friends or relatives.
Holidays
- Holidays are banned and you should not travel out of your area
- Holidays abroad are banned and you cannot go on holiday in England, including to a second home.
- Overnight stays are banned except for work or education purposes.
Most gatherings are banned
- Indoor household meet-ups are banned.
- You cannot meet up with a friend in your garden.
- 15 people are allowed in public places, such as for victims of crime, new parents, LGBT support groups and those who are grieving.
- Women in labour can have their partner or a close friend with them, as can people staying in hospital, a hospice or a care home.
Shielding is back
- For 2.2million people who are “extremely clinically vulnerable” (with reduced immune systems, specific cancers or severe respiratory conditions), shielding is back in place.
- People with chronic kidney disease (stage 5) and those undergoing dialysis, as well as adults with Down’s syndrome, are being added to the shielding patient list.
- The “clinically vulnerable” – a moderate risk group do not have to stay at home all the time.
Pubs and restaurants
- Restaurants can run a takeaway service
- Pubs and restaurants have been forced to shut.
- They can continue to sell takeaway food and drinks for consumption elsewhere until 10pm.
Leisure facilities must close
- Gyms, leisure centres and other sports facilities will close.
- Outdoor sports and leisure facilities will also close.
- Professional athletes will be allowed to continue to train and compete.
- Grassroots sport is banned, including children’s sport.
Funerals can continue take place
- Funerals can take place with up to 30 mourners.
- Wakes or gatherings after the ceremony can take place but with only 15 guests.
- Weddings are banned except in “exceptional circumstances” .
Care homes
- You can visit care homes under certain conditions
- People can visit their loved ones in care homes but only through windows, behind screens or outdoors.
- Care home residents can meet one other person outside as long as their loved one does not enter the main building.
Rule-breakers face massive fines
- You can be fined up to £6,400.
- Fines start at £100 if paid within 14 days, otherwise it’s £200. Penalties double for each offence.
- Businesses can be fined £10,00, starting at £1,000.
Businesses that can stay open
- Food shops, newsagents and off-licences
- Pharmacies
- Hardware stores and building merchants
- Petrol stations and garages
- Bike shops
- Taxi and vehicle hire services
- Banks, building societies, credit unions, currency exchanges
- Post offices
- Funeral directors
- Laundrettes and dry cleaners
- Health services such as dentists, opticians, osteopaths and mental health services
- Vets and pet shops
- Agriculture supplies shops
- Storage facilities
- Car parks
- Public toilets
- Garden centres