A national lockdown has been announced in England, as the number of coronavirus cases has risen and a new strain is circulating more quickly. You should follow the new rules from now, as they are now law.
What are new national lockdown rules in England?
Under new lockdown restrictions, people are being asked to stay at home. The following rules apply:
- You must stay at home
- You should work from home, unless you are not able to do so (for example, if you work in essential services or construction)
- You can leave your house for essential purposes, such as food shopping, medical care or caregiving
- You may leave the house for exercise once a day, but should exercise near to home
- You may meet one person from another household for exercise only – but should maintain strict social distancing
- Primary schools, secondary schools and colleges will close (except for children of key workers and vulnerable children)
- Sports and exercise venues including gyms, tennis courts, and golf courses will close
Can I form a support bubble or extended household?
A ‘support bubble’ or ‘extended household’ means you link with one other household and you can all behave as one household. You can spend time together inside each other’s homes, including overnight, without needing to be socially distant. You can form a support bubble with one other household if any one of these apply to you:
- You live alone
- You only live with people who were under 18 on 12 June 2020
- You are the only adult in your household who does not have a disability that needs continuous care
- You have a child under one year old. You live with a child under five with a disability that needs continuous care
