England lockdown 2.0: Full list of everything you can and can’t do

A list of all the things you can and can’t do as England goes back into a coronavirus lockdown (Pictures: Getty)

From midnight on Thursday. The second full nationwide shut-down of 2020 comes as the number of coronavirus cases threatens to overwhelm the NHS. A new raft of rules will be introduced across England. The measures are some of harshest seen since the last lockdown was eased in May. But some things are set to be different this time. The restrictions are planned to last for a month until December 2 when England will resort back to the three tiered local lockdown system again.

Mr Johnson and his team of experts said the strict new rules were now the only way to keep the virus from spreading out of control and ensuring people can celebrate Christmas with their families. Here Metro.co.uk breaks down exactly what you can and can’t do during lockdown 2.0. Do I have to stay at home? In short, yes, unless you have a good reason to leave the house. In his speech, Boris Johnson repeated his instruction from March and said simply: ‘You must stay home.’ Leaving the house is still permitted in some circumstances however. These include:  Going to school Going to work, if you can’t do your job from home For exercise – there are no limits in place this time For medical reasons To escape injury or harm To shop for food and other essentials To care for vulnerable people To volunteer

 

Alice Wilkinson, 8, carves a halloween pumpkin at her home as a second England-wide
national lockdown was announced (Picture: Reuters)

Am I allowed to see my friends and family? Mixing between households is seen as a key driver of transmission of the virus and socialising has been severely restricted under the new rules.  You are not allowed to visit people in their home, unless you are providing childcare or other support.  You are not allowed to meet people in their private gardens either. You are allowed to exercise or visit a public space with one other person from outside your household or support bubble.  Government guidelines say public places include: parks, beaches, countryside, public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them), allotments playgrounds.

Mixing between households is not allowed indoors or outdoors (Picture: Getty)

Should my child keep going to school? Keeping schools, colleges and universities open has been a key priority for the Government throughout the pandemic. In his speech Mr Johnson reiterated his desire to keep educational settings open, although some have argued schools should shut for older pupils. The Prime Minister said: ‘Our senior clinicians still advise that school is the best place for children to be. ‘We cannot let this virus damage our children’s futures even more than it has already, and I urge parents to continue taking their children to school, and I’m extremely grateful to teachers across the country for their dedication in enabling schools to remain open.’ After-school clubs and sports clubs will be suspended until December 2.

Pupils return to school in Huddersfield back in September (Picture: Getty)

Are pubs and restaurants closing? All non essential businesses are being forced to close including pubs and restaurants. They are still allowed to offer takeaways and deliveries but not for alcohol.  Are shops closing? Non-essential shops will close for the month. During the last lockdown, essential shops included supermarkets, pharmacies, pet shops and banks. The full list of what will be allowed to stay open this time has not been published by the Government but it is expected to be similar.  Essential shops are not expected to close off aisles of non-essential items, as was seen in the Welsh lockdown. Click and collect can continue.

All non-essential shops are being told to close for a month (Picture: Getty)

Can I still travel? International travel out of the UK has been banned, except for work purposes. Travel within the UK is being discouraged. Overnight stays are not allowed unless necessary for work. Those who are already on holiday will be able to return to the UK. Can I still go to work? You should work from home, unless this is impossible in your job. Work places should stay open for people who cannot work from home.  The manufacturing and construction sectors are being allowed to continue operating.

Boris Johnson on a visit to a construction site earlier this month (Picture: Reuters)

Can I still see people in my support bubble? Single adult households can still form exclusive support bubbles with one other household and children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated. Households in that support bubble can still visit each other, stay overnight, and visit outdoor public places together.

Should I shield again? Those who are clinically vulnerable or over the age of 60 are being told to be especially careful. They should make extra effort to follow the rules and minimise contact with others. Anyone who was formally notified that they should shield last time and not go out to work will be advised not to go out to work this time. However, formal shielding as happened during the March and April lockdown – where people were told not to leave home for any reason – will not be brought in. People classed as clinically extremely vulnerable are being advised to work from home. If that is not possible people may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay or Employment Support Allowance.

 

More vulnerable groups are being told to minimise contact with others (Picture: PA)

What other rules are there? Gyms, leisure and entertainment venues are all being told to close.  Hairdressers, beauty salons, tattoo parlours and all other close-contact services will shut too. Services in places of worship have been banned but private prayer is permitted. Funerals are limited to a maximum of 30 guests but it’s advised that only close family members attend.  Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are only allowed in ‘exceptional circumstances’. Playgrounds will remain open. Courts will keep operating. Professional sports, including the Premier League, will go ahead but all amateur sports are banned.  Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source:metro.co.uk/