UK lockdown rules – what you can and can’t do including BBQs and garden parties
BORIS Johnson announced some adjustments to the roadmap to recovery set out on 17 July.
What does that mean for what we can and can’t do during lockdown? Here is everything you’ll need to know...
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What you can do in the UK at the moment
With exception to those in local lockdowns, you can:
- Host BBQs and garden parties with up to 30 people but guests must wear masks as much as they can
- Stop shielding if you are one of the clinically extremely vulnerable
- Visit museums and places of worship but you must wear a mask, enforceable by law from August 8
- Host wedding receptions and sit-down meals for up to 30 people, funerals are allowed with the same numbers
- Have more discretion as an employer on how to ensure staff can work safely including arrangements around working from home
- Enjoy sports facilities and venues including indoor gyms, fitness and dance studios, indoor swimming pools and indoor water parks
- Travel to enclosed public spaces but are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings where there are people they do not normally meet
What you can't do in the UK at the moment
With exception to those in local lockdowns, you can't:
- Host more than 30 people for a BBQ or garden party
- Use public transport or go shopping without a face mask or covering
- Gamble at casinos or attend bowling alleys or leisure centres
- Get facial treatments at beauty salons
- Party in a nightclub or dance hall
- Attend theatres, music halls and other venues that are unable to keep social distancing audiences
What was announced at the last briefing?
On July 31, the Government announced some adjustments to the roadmap to recovery that was released on July 17.
This was due to the warning signs that the virus may be growing again.
According to the Government’s website, it claims that any planned changes are “conditional and reviewed based on infection rates”.
The PM announced that the national plan to reopen is being stalled until August 15 to "squeeze that brake pedal in order to keep the coronavirus under control".
Johnson said: “On August 1 we had hoped to reopen in England a number of the higher risk settings, and I'm afraid we're postponing those changes for a fortnight – casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks must remain closed. Indoor performances will not resume.
"Pilots of larger crowds in sports venues and conference centres will not take place.
“We have to act rapidly in order to protect the ones we love."
He also said that the national pause on shielding will proceed on August 1 as planned for most of the country.
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, added that we have "probably reached the limits of what we can do in terms of opening up society."
What will change over the coming months?
During his July 31 announcement, Boris said that the lockdown is to be stalled, but there are still plans for later this year.
Future plans are all subject to change should coronavirus infections pick up again.
From August 15
The government will review the situation and could go ahead with plans to reopen businesses that were originally meant to open August 1.
From September 1
- Schools, nurseries and colleges will open for all children and young people on a full-time basis
- Universities are working to reopen as fully as possible too
From October 1
- The government hopes to bring back audiences in stadiums, and allow conferences and other business events to start up again in a COVID-19 Secure way
What restrictions are there for those in local lockdown?
The following towns in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire have all been hit with a local lockdown:
- City of Manchester, Trafford, Stockport, Oldham, Bury, Wigan, Bolton, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford
- Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale
- Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees
Those living in these areas are banned from meeting people they do not live with inside their home whether they live inside the affected areas or not.
This is unless someone living alone from another household is in your support bubble.
You must not socialise with people you do not live with (you can still go to the pub but you must only go with your household).
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You can still meet people you do not live with outdoors in groups of no more than six.
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Some businesses have been told to close up again.
But the new rules has not stopped pub-goers from enjoying a boozy night out in Greater Manchester.