National Lockdown: Stay at Home

News - 5 January 2021

As a result of rapidly rising cases of coronavirus the government has announced a national lockdown across England. This means you should not leave home except when necessary.
stay home, protect the NHS, save lives

You may leave home to: 

  • shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
  • go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home 
  • exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area
  • meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
  • seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse) 
  • attend education or childcare - for those eligible 

Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open. 

Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses. 

If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work. 

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work.

You cannot leave your home or the place where you are living for holidays or overnight stays unless you have a reasonable excuse for doing so. This means that holidays in the UK and abroad are not allowed.  

Naturally, this will be challenging for all of us, but it is key that we follow these guidelines to reduce the spread of the virus and protect our loved ones. Financial, physical and mental health support is available for those that need it.