National Lockdown FAQs

Following the announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday 31 October, new National Restrictions will be implemented in England from Thursday 5 November.

From Thursday 5 November, until Wednesday 2 December, the government is taking the following action:

requiring people to stay at home, except for specific purposes
preventing gathering with people you do not live with, except for specific purposes
closing certain businesses and venues

Full guidance on the National lockdown from 5 November.

When will lockdown start?

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The Lockdown will come into effect on Thursday 5 November and is due to end on 2 December 2020.

Should I be shielding?

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No. Those that are clinically extremely vulnerable, clinically vulnerable or those aged over 60 should be especially careful and minimise contacts, but there will be no return to the shielding programme used in the first lockdown.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has said those in this category should work from home.

You should receive a letter from the Government by the 7 November 2020.

Will I receive a food box?

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No, the government will not be providing a food box as there is no shielding programme in place.

You should receive a letter from the Government by the 7 November 2020, which will tell you what to do if you need support.

If you need immediate assistance check our website for local support in your area.

Can different households mix indoors?

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No, not unless they are part of an “exclusive” support bubble, which allows a single-person household to meet and socialise with another household.

Parents are allowed to form a childcare bubble with another household for the purposes of informal childcare, where the child is 13 or under.

Can different households mix outdoors?

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You are allowed to meet one other person outside for “recreation” as well as exercise, and parents are allowed to form a childcare bubble with another household for the purposes of informal childcare, where the child is 13 or under.

I care for a friend or relative - can i still go to their house?

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Yes. If the person you are caring for needs the care you provide then you can go into their house to deliver this. If they live alone you can form a support bubble with them. Remember to make sure you wash your hands regularly and maintain social distancing wherever possible.

What can I leave home for?

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You can only leave home for the following reasons

Education
To go to work unless it can be done from home
Outdoor exercise either with household members or with one person from another household
For all medical reasons and appointments
To escape injury or harm
To care for the vulnerable or volunteer
To shop for food and essentials
To see people in your support bubble
Children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated

You could face fixed penalty notices from police for leaving their home without one of the above reasons

Can I travel?

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Most outbound international travel will be banned.

There is no exemption for staying away from home on holiday. This means people cannot travel internationally or within the UK, unless for work, education, or other legally permitted exemptions.

Overnight stays away from primary residences will not be allowed, except for specific exceptions including for work.

Which businesses will close?

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Everything except essential shops and education settings, which include nurseries, schools and universities, will close.

Pubs and restaurants will have to close, however Takeaway and delivery services will still be allowed.

Construction and manufacturing will stay open.

Parents will still be able to access registered childcare and other childcare activities where reasonably necessary to enable parents to work.

Public services, such as job centres, courts, and civil registration offices will remain open.

There is no exemption for communal worship in places of worship (except funerals and individual prayer), for organised team sports, or for children’s activities.

Is Furlough going to continue?

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The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, known as the furlough scheme, will remain open until December, with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500.

Guidance on the new measures is available on the GOV.UK website

Further details on the extended furlough scheme and other economic support

Are there any business grants available?

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The Government will make funding available to all Local Authorities to cover certain types of businesses that might be affected.

Businesses required to close in England will be eligible for the following:

For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under, grants to be £1,334 per month, or £667 per two weeks;
For properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k grants to be £2,000 per month, or £1,000 per two weeks;
For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over grants to be £3,000 per month, or £1,500 per two weeks.

An application process will be established as soon as possible and published on these pages

The Government has yet to publish the details of how local authorities should administer these grants.

To keep up to date with all information on this grant, and other support for businesses, sign up to our newsletter