New National Restrictions from 5 November 2020
Last updated: 7.50pm Wednesday 4 November 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) case numbers are rising rapidly across the whole of the UK and in other countries. We must act now to control the spread of the virus. The single most important action we can all take to fight coronavirus is to stay at home, to protect the NHS and save lives.
When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we reduce the spread of the infection. That is why, from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December, you must
- stay at home, except for specific purposes
- avoid meeting people you do not live with, except for specific purposes
- close certain businesses and venues
These new measures will reduce the growth rate of the virus, which will:
- prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed
- ensure schools, colleges and universities can stay open
- ensure that as many people as possible can continue to work
The new measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to Wednesday 2 December. At the end of the period, we will return to a regional approach, based on the latest data.
These measures will be underpinned by law. Police and other authorities will have powers to give fines and break up gatherings.
You can help to protect your friends and family by downloading the NHS COVID-19 App to keep updated on the latest guidance from Thursday 5 November.
The rules we must follow
- Stay at home (you must not leave or be outside of your home except for specific purposes).
- Meeting others safely (in general, you must not meet people socially but you can exercise in a public outdoor space with people you live with or with one other person, or you can exercise with your support bubble).
- Where and when you can meet in larger groups (there are certain circumstances in which you are allowed to meet others from outside your household or support bubble but this should not be for socialising)
- Businesses and venues (the Government has ordered certain businesses and venues to close or restrict how they provide goods and services)
- Weddings, civil partnerships and funerals (funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people and linked ceremonial events such as ash scatterings can also continue with up to 15 people in attendance. Weddings will not be permitted unless one of those getting married is seriously ill and these weddings will be limited to 6 people).
- Going to work ((everyone who can work effectively from home must do so. Where people cannot do so - they should continue to travel to their workplace)
- Education, school, college and unversity (all remain open to prioritise the wellbeing and long-term futures of our young people)
- Childcare and children's activities (there are several ways that parents and carers can continue to access childcare)
- Protecting people more at risk from coronavirus (there is specific advice for people over 60, people defined as clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable)
- Visiting relatives in care homes (there is specific guidance on care home visits)
- Travel (you cannot travel overseas or within the UK, unless for work, education or other legally permitted reasons and you should look to reduce the number of journeys you make but there are reasons when you can and should travel)
- Staying away form home overnight (overnight stays and holidays away will not be allowed in the UK or abroad, including staying in a second home or caravan,or staying with anyone you do not live with or are in a support bubble with).
- Moving home (moving home is still permitted but people outside of your household or support bubble should only help if absolutely necessary)
- Financial support (workers in the UK can retain their job even if their employer cannot afford to pay them and be paid at least 80% of their salary up to £2,500 a month)
Read the national restrictions in full at gov.uk
Remember - 'Hands. Face. Space'
More useful links
- Support bubbles
- Childcare bubble
- Social distancing rules
- Wearing face coverings
- Advice on car sharing
- COVID-secure guidelines
Outbreak management
Our Outbreak Control Plan sets out ways in which Bury Council, the local NHS and other partner organisations aim to manage local outbreaks.
Local outbreaks are identified and managed through continuous monitoring of the available data.