Prime Minister Boris Johnson this evening announced a new period of national lockdown in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This follows a joint statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers today calling for the Covid Alert Level to be increased to its highest level saying:
“We are not confident that the NHS can handle a further sustained rise in cases and without further action there is a material risk of the NHS in several areas being overwhelmed over the next 21 days.”
Since March, we have lived under two lockdowns, the second in November, a since then, we have adhered to tier two, three and finally tier four rules since Boxing Day.
So how different are the new national lockdown restrictions to Tier 4?
Leaving home
You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary.
You may leave home to shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person, or go to work or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home.
You can still exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, and this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
Shielding
Those who are clinically vulnerable and who have previously been advised to shield should stay at home and only leave for medical appointments and exercise.
Schools
Despite announcing yesterday that schools are safe, all schools – primary, secondary and colleges – are to close.
This is to all pupils, except those deemed vulnerable and children of key workers.
This means primary schools which reopened today must now close from tomorrow.
Mixing households
From this evening you cannot leave home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with, unless for exercise.
Exercise
Outdoor exercise is permitted under the new lockdown.
You may exercise with members of your household or support bubble or one other person from another household, such as if going for a walk or run.
Tennis courts, golf courses, gyms and sports facilities will have to close and you are not permitted to travel outside your local area.
Retail
Essential shops are permitted to remain open throughout the duration of the lockdown period.
Essential shops include food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services.
All non-essential retail, including clothing and homeware stores, car showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, auction houses and market stalls selling non-essential goods.
Takeaway and Delivery
Pubs and restaurants such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs must close with the exception of providing food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect and drive-through purposes.
Pubs will no longer be able to offer the takeaway or click-and-collect of alcoholic drinks.
Places of worship
Places of worship can remain open for individual prayers and communal worship, but people should only visit with their household or support bubble.
Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and funerals are allowed with strict limits on attendance.
