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England will enter a second national lockdown on Thursday, with strict restrictions on daily life.
Under the new rules, released tonight, people will be told to stay home for four weeks, like during the first national lockdown earlier this year.
Boris Johnson said it would be a “medical and moral disaster” not to act to curb rising coronavirus rates when he announced the tough new measures on Saturday.
The prime minister had resisted calls to plunge the country into another lockdown, but gave in to pressure over the weekend after gloomy forecasts from government advisers.
MPs will vote on the measures on Wednesday before the four-week lockdown goes into effect.
Despite the ire of Conservative MPs, the vote is expected to pass easily as Labor said they would support the government.
(Image: PA)
But the rules are slightly different this time, with schools and workplaces allowed to stay open and more exemptions for leaving home.
Here’s what you can and cannot do starting Thursday.
You can leave the house to exercise and buy what you need.
People are advised to stay home as much as possible, unless they have a reasonable excuse.
Exemptions to the rules include the purchase of basic necessities for your home or someone vulnerable.
You can exercise outside as much as you like, either alone or with members of your own household.
There is a new rule that allows you to meet a friend or family member from another household in a public space for exercise.
Visiting a church, mosque, synagogue or other place of worship is allowed for individual prayers.
Real estate agents can stay open and people can attend home tours and moves.
Visits to waste disposal units and recycling centers are allowed.
Medical appointments can continue and you can provide respite care for vulnerable people.
Deathbed visits are permitted by close family and friends.
Schools can stay open
One big change since the last closure is that schools and universities can remain open.
The Government and Labor have agreed that keeping children in the classroom is vital, after many spent months out of school.
Universities may also remain open, although many are already practically providing most of the teaching.
People who cannot do their work at home can continue working
Workplaces can remain open based on Covid safe guidelines if necessary.
This means that industries such as construction and manufacturing can continue to operate.
People who can work from home are advised to do so during the four week shutdown.
There are exemptions for child care.
Parents can still access some child care services if needed while working or caring for others.
Early childhood settings can remain open and youth support can continue.
Children whose parents are separated can still travel between homes.
Vacations are prohibited and you should not travel outside of your area.
People should reduce the number of trips they take and avoid traveling outside of their local area.
Holidays abroad are prohibited and you cannot go on holiday to England, not even to a second home.
Overnight stays away from home are prohibited, except if you need it for work or educational reasons.
Most meetings are forbidden
Meetings in the home are prohibited indoors unless they are included in specific exemptions, such as childcare.
Outdoor gatherings with a person outside your home are permitted in a public place, such as a park or beach.
You cannot meet a friend in your garden.
Children under 5 years of age and caregivers are not included in the limits.
Support groups of up to 15 people are allowed in public places, such as for crime victims, new parents, LGBT support groups, and those who have been bereaved.
Pregnant women can have a partner or a close friend with them, as can people who stay in the hospital, hospice, or nursing home.
Restaurants can sell drinks to go … if requested in advance
Pubs and restaurants were ordered to close under the new rules.
But they can continue to sell take-out food and drinks for consumption elsewhere.
Sales of take-out pints were initially expected to be prohibited, but regulations reveal a loophole for ordering alcohol by phone, online or by mail.
(Image: Daily Mirror / Andy Stenning)
This means that a ‘restricted business’ such as a pub can sell alcohol for consumption off the premises until 10pm.
It appears that the loophole is allowing take-out stores to sell alcoholic beverages with food, as drinking pints of take-out is not allowed on the sidewalk or outside of bars.
Leisure facilities must close
Gyms, leisure centers and other sports facilities such as swimming pools, dance studios and soft play centers must close.
Outdoor facilities such as golf courses, driving ranges, and riding centers must also close.
Professional athletes will be allowed to continue attending training and competitions.
But grassroots sports are prohibited, including children’s sports.
Funerals can go on
Funerals can take place with up to 30 mourners.
Post-ceremony wakes or gatherings can also take place with 15 guests, as long as the event is not held at home.
Weddings are prohibited except in “exceptional circumstances”, although it is not yet clear what this means.
(Image: Getty Images)
Companies that can remain open
Retailers deemed essential can remain open.
Here is the complete list:
– Food stores, newsagents and counter sales
– pharmacy
– Hardware stores and construction traders
– Gas stations and garages
– Bike shops
– Taxi services and car rental
– Banks, housing credit societies, credit unions, exchange houses
– Mail offices
– Funeral Directors
– Laundries and dry cleaners
– Health services such as dentists, opticians, osteopaths and mental health services
– Veterinarians and pet stores
– Agricultural supply stores
– Storage facilities
– Parking lots
– Public toilets
– Garden centers
Violators face massive fines
People who break the rules could be fined up to £ 6,400.
Fines start at £ 100 if paid within 14 days; otherwise it is £ 200. These penalties are doubled each time for repeat offenders.
Businesses can be slapped with fines of £ 10,000, starting at £ 1,000 in the first instance and increasing with more violations.
When will these measures end?
Restrictions automatically expire after 28 days. Then the government will establish what its next steps will be.
MPs have been promised to vote on what will happen next amid the anger of conservative supporters over the restrictions.
Do these restrictions apply across the UK?
No, these rules only apply in England.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate blocking rules.
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