Prime Minister Boris Johnson has placed England into another National Lockdown – with even tougher restrictions in place to help keep the virus at bay until a vaccine is rolled out.
Schools will now be closed until mid-February and summer exams will be scrapped.
Cafes, bars and restaurants will be allowed to serve takeaway – but they will not be allowed to serve any alcohol.
As before, vulnerable people are being told to shield where possible. Communal worship can continue with social distancing in place.
Here are the rules of the latest lockdown:
When can I leave my home?…
People are being told not to leave their home, or be outside of the home except where necessary.
You are allowed to leave the home to…
- shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
- go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot do so from home
- exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
- meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
- seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
- attend education or childcare – for those eligible
Johnson said that colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years venues remain open.
Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.
If people have to leave home for a permitted reason, then they should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where they live. You should only leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.
Those classes as clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. They should not attend work
Can I meet with others?…
People should not leave your home to meet socially with anyone they do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).
People should exercise on their own, with one other person, or with household or support bubbles.
You should not meet other people you do not live with, or have not formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.
Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.
