NEW lockdown restrictions affecting the whole of England have officially come in today - with new rules replacing all previous restrictions.

The four-week national lockdown, which began at midnight, is expected to come to an end on Wednesday, December 2.

It will be the first time the entire country has been placed under almost full lockdown restrictions since the original spell between March and July.

The restrictions now override the three-tier lockdown system, which saw the North-East place under Tier 2 restrictions and North Yorkshire under Tier 1.

But what are the new rules?

We've put together a FULL LIST of what you can and can't do under new restrictions from today...

Can I meet other people?

Under national lockdown rules, you must NOT mix with other households in any indoor setting, or in most outdoor places such as your garden.

But the rules state you can still mix if you have a support bubble - where a household with one adult joints another household. 

You can however, meet other people in some outdoor settings - but adhere to the 2m social distancing rule.

These include: 

- Neighbourhood streets, parks, beaches and the countryside

- Public gardens and grounds (regardless if there is an entry fee)

- Allotments

- Outdoor playgrounds 

What can I leave the home for?

As the Government guidance has now reverted to "stay home", you are not allowed to leave your home unless for the following purposes.

- Work and volunteering

- Essential activities such as shopping for food and medicine, or to collect items ordered through click-and-collect, or to access critical public services

- Education such as school, college and university - but not extracurricular classes such as music or drama tuition

- Medical reasons, harm and compassionate visits such as to visit someone giving birth or dying, to avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, to visit someone in a hospital, or to go the vets. 

This also includes care homes and hospices, where appropriate. 

- Attending a place of worship for individual prayer, a funeral or a related event for someone who has died.

Do I have to go into the workplace?

The Government is now advising people to work from home where appropriate but for those working in some settings, they are encouraged to continue going into work.

The advice states those workers - including, but not limited to, people who work in critical national infrastructure, construction, or manufacturing - should continue to travel to their workplace.

It also states that public sector employees working in essential services, including childcare or education, should also continue to go into work.

- Work in other people's homes - such as nannies, cleaners or tradespeople - is permitted to take place during the lockdown.

Does my child still need to go to school?

Across England, all schools, colleges and universities remain open with Covid measures in place in a bid to reduce the risk of transmission.

The rules on education largely remain the same with all children encouraged to attend classes as they did under the three-tier lockdown system.

What are the rules for university students?

Universities have been told to consider moving to increased levels of online learning where possible in a bid to minimise the risk of Covid-19 in educational settings.

Students are however not permitted to move back and forward between their permanent home and student home during term time.

The guidance states that students should only return home at the end of term. 

Training for extra-curricular purposes, for instance as part of clubs, should not take place. 

What about childcare and children's activities?

Parents and carers can continue to access childcare during the national restrictions and these include:

- Early years settings and childminders remain open, and you can continue to use these settings as normal

- You can access other childcare activities (including wraparound care) where reasonably necessary to enable parents to work, seek work, attend education or training, or for the purposes of respite care for carers

- Nannies will be able to continue to provide services, including in the home

- Parents are able to form a childcare bubble with one other household for the purposes of informal childcare, where the child is 13 or under

- Some households will also be able to benefit from being in a support bubble, which allows single adult households to join another household

- Some youth services are able to continue, such as 1-1 youth work and support groups, but most youth clubs and groups will need to cease for this period.

What are the rules on travel? 

The new rules now state that you you cannot travel overseas or within the UK, unless for permitted reasons, and you should reduce the number of journeys you make.

You can and should still travel for a number of reasons, including:

- Travelling to work where this cannot be done from home

- Travelling to education and for caring responsibilities

- To visit those in your support bubble - or your childcare bubble for childcare

- To visit hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health

- To buy goods or services from premises that are open, including essential retail

- To spend time or exercise outdoors - this should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)

- Attending the care and exercise of a pet, or veterinary services

UK residents currently abroad do not need to return home immediately. 

Can I stay over in a hotel, or visit a second home?

Overnight stays and holidays away from primary homes is banned.

This includes staying in caravan, if you own one, or staying with anyone you do not live with or are in a support bubble with.

You are only allowed to stay overnight away from your home if you:

- Are unable to return to your main residence

- Need accommodation while moving house

- Need accommodation to attend a funeral or related commemorative event

- Require accommodation for work purposes or to provide voluntary services

- Are a child requiring accommodation for school or care

- Are homeless, seeking asylum or a vulnerable person seeking refuge

- Are an elite athlete or their support staff or parent, if the athlete is under 18

If you were already on holiday, you should return to your home as soon as practical and comply with the ‘stay at home’ requirements in your holiday accommodation in the meantime.

Guest accommodation providers such as hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks may remain open for the specific reasons set out in law, including where guests are unable to return to their main residence, use that guest accommodation as their main residence, or would otherwise be made homeless as a result of the accommodation closing.

Accommodation providers are also encouraged to work cooperatively with Local Authorities to provide accommodation to vulnerable groups including the homeless during this period of national restrictions.

Can I still move home?

Yes, you can still move home.

But people outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless this is absolutely necessary.

The law states that estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work and people looking to move home can continue to undertake viewings.

What businesses must close for the four-week period?

THE list of businesses that will be forced to shut their doors for at least four-weeks has been published - for the list click here 

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