Public urged to play its part as lockdown starts

Residents have been urged to help ‘make the difference’ as England entered another lockdown this week.

The Government has issued guidance on what restrictions are in place during national lockdown.

It has recommended shielding for the clinically extremely vulnerable – by not going to work and only going out for medical appointments, exercise, or if it is essential. Everyone is urged to stay at home as much as possible. Residents must not be outside except where necessary, in order to:

Shop for basic necessities for yourself 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

Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, 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.

Exercise

Unlike tier 4 restrictions, exercise should be limited to once per day. People should not travel outside their local area for exercise.

Exercise should be alone, with one other person or in a household or support bubble.

Travel

If you need to travel you should stay local and avoid travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live. You can leave your home and area for work, education and care, visiting a support or childcare bubble, accessing medical services and attending the care and exercise of an animal.

Outdoor exercise should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your area to do so if necessary. You can also travel to buy goods or services, but this should be done within your local area wherever possible.

‘Reasonable excuses’

There are a few ‘reasonable excuses’ to meet with others outside of a household or support bubble.

Meeting for communal worship, a funeral or wedding ceremony are all allowed, as are visits to someone who is giving birth or dying. Attending support groups with up to 15 people is also allowed.

Other reasonable excuses to go out include animal welfare, to vote, to fulfil legal obligations or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential proper ty.

Meeting in larger groups is only allowed under a few ‘exceptional circumstances’, with numbers still limited. Funerals are limited to a maximum of 30 people and weddings are limited to six.