Second lockdown restrictions explained: What new Covid rules mean for schools, travel, pubs, sport and more
England's second lockdown will differ from the first lockdown in March in several key respects
By Will Hazell
The new lockdown in England is due to run from Thursday this week to Wednesday 2 December.
It will differ from the first lockdown in March in several key respects.
Nurseries, schools, playgrounds and universities will remain open as normal (Photo: David Davies/PA)
One of the biggest differences compared to the spring lockdown is that schools will stay open. Last time they closed for everyone but vulnerable pupils and children of key workers. Nurseries, colleges and universities will also remain open, although university students have been told not to return home during term time.
After-school provisions and sports clubs will be suspended, but playgrounds and parks will remain open.
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Non-essential retail will be closed. This includes clothing and electronics stores, car showrooms, travel agents, betting shops, auction houses, tailors, car washes, tobacco and vape shops.
Hairdressers, beauty and nail salons, tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services, non-medical acupuncture and tanning salons will also shut.
Click and collect services can continue and shops such as supermarkets, garden centres and those "providing essential goods and services" will remain open. Unlike in Wales, there is no rule against supermarkets selling "non-essential items".
Bars, pubs and restaurants must stay closed except for delivery or take-away services. Takeaway alcohol is not permitted.
Hotels, hostels and other accommodation can only open for those who have to travel for work and for a limited number of other reasons, which the Government will set out this week.
Gyms are set to close again from Thursday 5 November (Photo: John Walton/PA)
People can exercise outdoors, including with those they live with, or when someone is on their own with one person from another household.
Leisure facilities – bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, stables and riding centres, climbing walls, archery and shooting ranges – will all close.
Football and a range of other professional sports will be allowed to continue, unlike earlier in the year.
Theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries will all close.
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People have been told to avoid travelling in or out of their local area from Thursday, and to reduce the number of journeys made.
People can still travel to work where it cannot be done from home, for education and caring responsibilities, for medical reasons and to essential shops. A short journey to exercise is also permitted.
Overnight stays and holidays away from a primary residence are not allowed, including holidays abroad and in the UK. People can stay away from home for work reasons.
British nationals who are abroad do not need to return home immediately, but the Government has advised people to check with their airline or travel operator about arrangements for returning.
Health and public services
A number of public services will remain open, with people able to leave home to visit them. This includes NHS and medical services such as GPs. The NHS will continue to carry out urgent and non-urgent services, although some hospitals have cancelled non-emergency elective operations to free up capacity to deal with Covid patients.
The Government said it was vital that anyone who thought they needed any kind of medical care should seek help. People will be able to travel for any medical reason, including concerns, appointments and emergencies, or to avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, such as domestic abuse.
Jobcentre Plus sites, courts and civil registration offices will also be open.
Weddings, funerals and religious services
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances.
Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. Religious venues will be closed unless they are being used for funerals or to broadcast acts of worship.