The only reasons you can leave your home during the new lockdown

England is once again in lockdown with the government telling residents to ‘stay at home’. 

We’re now in lockdown with restrictions set to remain in place until at least mid-February, with the country moving to the highest Covid-19 alert level (five). 

The new restrictions are pretty similar to those in place in the first lockdown, almost a year ago back in March 2020.

There are a number of exceptions to the ‘stay at home’ rule, including, of course, getting necessities like food.

The new restrictions will be enforced by the police through Fixed Penalty Notices of £200 for the first offence, doubling for every repeat offence to a maximum of £6,400.

The exemptions to ‘Stay at Home’:

• Going to work if you absolutely cannot work from home
• Shop for essentials, including food and other essential items
• To exercise (once a day and locally) – you can exercise with up to one other person from outside your bubble or household
• To meet your support bubble or childcare bubble, but only if you are permitted to form one
• To provide care or to shop for a vulnerable person
• To attend medical appointments or seek medical care
• To remove yourself from the threat of harm or violence
• To attend education or childcare – only for those eligible

You can see a full list of what you can and can’t do here, or check the government guidance here.