Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new nationwide lockdown yesterday evening in response to a sharp increase in coronavirus cases.

The Government guidance states that people should remain at home, except in sitatuins where there is a 'reasonable excuse'.

Below is a list of what is defined as a reasonable excuse under the new guidance.

  • Work, or volunteering, in situations when it is 'unreasonable' to work from home. 
  • Childcare, medical appointments, emergencies, education and training
  • Exercising outdoors, which is limited to once per day. People will be allowed to meet one person from another household in a outdoor public space.
  • Shopping for essentials
  • Communal religious worship
  • Activities related to moving house
  • Meeting people in a support or childcare bubble

Both primary and secondary schools will close, with pupils being taught online - apart for keyworker or vulnerable children.

Travel, both domestically and internationally, is only allowed for essential reasons.

All non-essential businesses, including pubs, restaurants, indoor and outdoor sporting facilities and non-essential shops, have to close.

The following businesses have been classed as essential and will be allowed to remain open.

  • Supermarkets
  • Food shops
  • Garden centres
  • Petrol stations
  • MOT services
  • Places of worship
  • Pharmacies
  • Banks
  • Post offices
  • Laundrettes
  • Vets
  • Dentists
  • Doctor surgeries
  • Public toilets
  • Car parks
  • Playgrounds