England has entered a month long period of enhanced ‘lockdown’ restrictions after MPs agreed the measures could go ahead in Parliament yesterday (Wednesday 4th November).
The lockdown period begins today (Thursday 5th November) and ends on Wednesday 2nd November.
People are once again being asked to “Stay at home, Protect the NHS, Save lives” as coronavirus infections, hospitalisations and daily recorded COVID-19 deaths continue to rise.
Yesterday, government officials sent emails to extremely clinically vulnerable individuals (those with specific conditions or those previously placed on the Shielded Patients List by a doctor) urging them to follow new shielding guidelines for the next month.
Stay at home, Protect the NHS, Save lives
Non-essential shops and leisure businesses such as pubs and restaurants have been told to close. Full details
People must now limit their activities outside the home and are being asked to remain unless for permitted activities, which include:
- Work and volunteering – where it is not possible to work at home
- Education – all children must attend school. College and university students should attend or work online as required.
- Shopping – for essentials such as food or to collect Click and Collect purchases
- Exercise outdoors
- To deliver care
- Medical appointments
- Legal commitments
- Funerals
People must not meet in groups outdoors or indoors, except where they are with their own household or support bubble. Two individuals can meet together in an outdoor space (not a garden).
View the full national guidelines
In addition, the extremely clinically vulnerable group are being urged to stay at home as much as possible – they are asked not to go to work if it is not possible to work from home and not to go go shopping. Those in this group are advised to only leave the house for outdoor exercise and medical appointments.
View full guidelines for the extremely clinically vulnerable