WHILE Wales exits its “fire-back” lockdown, England enters its own strict lockdown until December 2.
What are the different rules for England, Scotland and Wales? Here is everything you’ll need to know…
England is in a four-week lockdown until December 2
What will be closed?
England
All non-essential shops and retail including clothing, electronics, vehicle showrooms, travel agents, betting shops, auction houses, car washes, tobacco and vape shops.
Entertainment venues including:
- Theatres, concert halls & cinemas
- Museums and galleries
- Casinos, adult gaming centres and arcades
- Bingo halls, bowling alleys & concert halls
- Zoos and other animal attractions, botanical gardens
Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty and nail salons, tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services, non-medical acupuncture, and tanning salons will all close.
Hospitality venues like restaurants, bars and pubs must close, but can still provide takeaway and delivery services.
Ministers have said takeaway pints won’t be allowed – but a crucial loophole will allow pubs to sell them anyway.
A loophole in new regulations carved out an exception for pubs to sell alcohol if it is ordered by phone, over the internet or by post.
That means Brits can still order booze if they do it through an app, or even call up their pub and place their order.
Click and collect services can continue as normal.
Hotels, hostels and other accommodation should only open for those who have to travel for work purposes and for a limited number of other exemptions.
Wales
All businesses are allowed to open in Wales from November 9.
Scotland
Different areas in Scotland are under different levels depending on the number of cases.
For areas under level three soft play, funfairs, pool halls, bowling alleys and casinos are closed.
Will people have to stay at home?
England
Yes, they will – and people face a £200 fine if they do so without a reason.
People in England will only be allowed to leave their home for several reasons which are listed below.
People will be allowed to sit on park benches and on beaches, and they won’t be told to move along like the last lockdown.
Brits will also be able to leave their home to visit a prison if a close family or friend is there.
Anyone who works from someone else’s home – such as cleaners and nannies – can continue to go to do so.
Wales
Restrictions have been lifted in Wales allowing people to go outdoors.
Scotland
Restrictions have been lifted in Scotland allowing people to go outdoors.
I am vulnerable, do I have to shield again?
England
The PM said shielding would not be brought back in – but the new guidance for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable is to stay at home as much as possible.
They are “strongly advised” not to go to shops or pharmacies.
Unlike the shielding program in the March lockdown, people are advised they can exercise outside with people they live with or their support bubble.
But vulnerable people who cannot work from home, should not attend work.
People who live in the same household can attend work.
And given fresh evidence that coronavirus poses a very low risk of children from Covid-19, most kids who originally had to shield will no longer need to do so and can still go to school.
Parents should take their children to their GP to check if they are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable.
According to new regulations, anyone aged over the age of 60 is considered vulnerable – but do not need to shield
The guidance says people in this category should “be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others.”
Wales
Shielding ended in Wales on August 16 however the Government recognises there will be some people who will be more comfortable staying at home.
Scotland
People shielding have been asked to follow the same advice as everyone else in their local area.
They should wear face coverings when in shops, inside hospitality settings and on public transport if they are able to.
Pubs are open in Scotland and Wales but closed in England
Can I see my friends or family?
England
Only if you are living with them, or they are part of your support bubble.
People living alone can form a support bubble with another household.
And that means people can stay overnight with people in their support bubble.
People will be allowed to see one person outside.
And this doesn’t have to be for exercise – the new regulations say Brits can meet up with one other person for “open air recreation”.
While the chilly weather might rule out sunbathing, it does mean people can sit outside.
But you can’t socialise with people indoors.
Children will still be able to see their parents if they are under 16 and their parents have separated.
And kids will still be able to access childcare.
Wales
Groups of four people from different households can meet indoors or outdoors from today.
That means trips to pubs, cafes and restaurants are back on – as long as people follow social distancing and hygiene rules.
Scotland
Six people from two different households are able to meet in hospitality settings.
Can I see a friend while with my baby?
England
Yes.
Health Minister Nadine Dorries announced a specific exemption for new parents to meet with friends outside.
It means new parents won’t fall foul of the rule saying only two people from different households can meet at any one time.
Any children under the age of 5 will not be counted.
And kids who need full-time care, for example for those with disabilities, will also not change parents’ ability to meet up with friends.
Can I still get married?
England
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances.
The new regulations set out that weddings can only take place on compassionate grounds where one person is seriously ill or dying.
Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people, and it is advised that only close friends and family attend.
Linked ceremonial events such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 15 people in attendance.
Wales
Yes, you can.
30 guests are allowed to attend a ceremony however they must adhere to social distancing rules.
Scotland
Yes, you can.
The number of people who are allowed to attend the event is dependent on the level of your area.
For example, if your area is in level two, no more than 20 people should attend the ceremony.
What will stay open?
England
Schools, colleges and universities will stay open.
Childcare provisions will be allowed to stay in action.
Any store selling essentials, like supermarkets, food shops, hardware shops and garden centres will be allowed to remain open.
Churches will remain open for private worship, but there won’t be any services and people are legally allowed to leave their homes to visit any places of worship.
Click and collect services can continue, and pubs, cafes and restaurants can continue offer takeaways.
Playgrounds will remain open this time too.
Vets will continue to stay open.
Courts, job centres, civil registration offices will remain open.
NHS services like GPs and walk in centres will remain.
Support groups for mental health services, young people’s groups and new parents meetings will also be allowed to continue.
Wales
All non-essential businesses are allowed to reopen as of November 9.
Schools will reopen again after an extended break. Kids will be able to return to their education, as the break fell partly over their half-term.
Scotland
Shops, attractions, libraries, hairdressers, barbers and beauticians are open.
Schools also remain open.
Can I travel?
England
No, everyone should remain at home apart from essential journeys – or for the reasons above.
Anyone leaving their home to travel could face a £200 fine.
And international travel will be banned to all countries – meaning holidays for thousands will have to be cancelled.
People who are on holiday will be allowed to return home.
Only essential work or education trips will be allowed.
Wales
People are now able to travel within Wales again – and are allowed to leave their homes without a reasonable excuse.
But they still can’t travel into England, where a national lockdown is still in place.
And though travel is now allowed, people are still urged to be careful and stay home as much as possible, though they are allowed to go on holiday or breaks away within Wales.
Foreign breaks are not allowed.
Scotland
People living under level three should not travel outside their own local area for anything other than “essential” reasons.
In level two, people have been asked not to travel into a level three area.
The Scottish government is advising against all non-essential foreign travel.
Can I still play sport?
England
Amateur sport is now going to have to be cancelled – including lower league football.
But the Premier League will continue behind closed doors as currently.
Kids won’t be able to play grassroots football but they will be able to while at school.
And tennis, golf, swimming, horse riding will also banned.
Indoor and outdoor leisure facilities will all close, including:
- Leisure centres and gyms
- Sports facilities including swimming pools
- Golf courses and driving ranges
- Dance studios
- Stables and riding centres
- Soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centres
- Archery and shooting ranges
But gyms and sports facilities will be allowed to stay open for kids under 16 doing supervised activities – such as dance classes or other fitness activities.
Wales
15 people can meet inside for organised activities.
And up to 30 people can meet up outdoors.
Scotland
Contact sports and training for those aged 18 and over have been suspended, although professional sports can continue.
The PM with Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance at the press conference over the weekend
Will furlough continue?
England
Yes, for businesses that have to shut the furlough scheme will carry on through the four-week lockdown and beyond.
They will carry on getting 80 per cent of pay for the duration, up to £2,500 a month.
But businesses will have to play National Insurance and pensions contributions for November.
Rishi Sunak announced on 5 November the furlough scheme would carry on until March – meaning the programme will be in place for a year by the time it comes to an end.
The new measures are expected to cost billions of pounds extra for the Treasury.
What happens after that and is the Tiers system over
Mr Johnson introduced a three-tier system last month to try to steer the nation away from a second national lockdown.
It’s expected that he will reintroduce local measures for the tiers system after the lockdown is over.
He will look at the figures and examine which areas will go back into the tier system at a later date.
Do MPs have a say in this for England?
Yes, MPs voted in favour of the rules on Wednesday evening, though he did face a rebellion from some of his MPs.
Powerful Tory MP Sir Charles Walker blasted the national lockdown as “authoritarian”.
And Sir Graham Brady branded them “evil measures”.
But the move still passed 516 – 38 as Labour supported the new laws.
Ex-PM Theresa May led furious attacks on the PM as up to 50 Tories rebelled by voting against the new rules – or not voting at all.
