Takeaway pints are off the table
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has plunged the country back into a full national lockdown - the third since the initial outbreak of coronavirus.
The tightening of lockdown rules brings with it a raft of restrictions on what you can and cannot do.
These are the main points:
- The whole country has been given a direct 'stay at home' order from the government
- You are only permitted to leave for essential work, to purchase food or medicine, attend medical appointments or to exercise once a day
- Special dispensation will be given to those fleeing domestic abuse or the threat of harm
- Those who care for vulnerable adults are also permitted to leave home for this purpose only
- Your one bout of exercise should be done locally - you're allowed to be accompanied in your exercise by your household, support bubble or one other person from outside this
- Schools are closed for the majority of pupils, with exceptions made for vulnerable children and children of key workers
- Universities and colleges are closed, with exams shelved until further notice
- There is to be no household mixing outside your support or critical care bubble
- Non-essential retail is closed, as are gyms and leisure facilities
- Pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants remain closed
- Takeaway and delivery food is permitted, takeaway pints are not
It is also hoped that the Covid vaccine will be rolled out to those most in need by mid-February.
The top four priority groups for the vaccine are:
- Those in care homes
- The over 70s
- Health and care workers
- The clinically vulnerable
If all goes to plan, some 13.9 million people will receive a vaccination by the middle of next month.
Boris Johnson said: "It's clear that we need to do more together to bring this variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out."
