Coronavirus lockdown changes – what you can and can’t do from October 17

The depressing slump into a Covid-ridden winter continues this weekend as a string of restrictions take force across the UK.

More than 10million extra people are being banned from socialising indoors in England as London, Essex and more areas are plunged from Tier 1 into Tier 2.

And pubs for 1.5million people across Lancashire, including Blackpool, are calling last orders as of Friday night.

Northern Ireland is shutting pubs and hairdressers for four weeks while Wales is banning travel from all but Tier 1 areas of England.

So what are the rule changes on Friday night into Saturday morning? Here’s everything you need to know.

Indoor gatherings are banned by law in London, Essex, York and more

More than 10million people join local coronavirus lockdowns from 12.01am on Saturday as they are moved from Tier 1 to Tier 2.

The big difference is once you’re in Tier 2, you can no longer meet friends and family indoors under the ‘rule of six’.

Instead, in any indoor setting, you are legally banned from meeting anybody you don’t share either a household or a social bubble with – and face a £200 fine.

The rule applies to anyone who lives a Tier 2 area, no matter where they go (even if it’s outside a Tier 2 area).

And it applies to anyone who visits a Tier 2 area while they visit, even if they live outside the high-risk zone.

You can still meet outdoors – including in private gardens and beer gardens – up to the rule of six.

People should also aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.

These areas are moving into Tier 2 from 12.01am on Saturday. Tier 2 already contains dozens of other parts of England which you can check on our postcode search (below).

• London (all 32 boroughs and the City of London)
• Elmbridge
• Essex (area covered by Essex County Council only)
• Barrow-in-Furness
• York
• North East Derbyshire
• Erewash
• Chesterfield

Lancashire is moving from Tier 2 into Tier 3

The entire county of Lancashire with around 1.5million people is moving into Tier 3 restrictions at 12.01am on Saturday.

In a massive blow to locals and Blackpool’s battered tourism industry, pubs and bars are being forced to shut in the county unless they can operate as a restaurant.

Such pubs must serve “substantial” meals and people will only be allowed to order alcohol if it comes with a meal.

Indoor gatherings will also be banned, like in Tier 2.

But on top of this, gatherings in private gardens or beer gardens are also banned, and residents are advised against non-essential travel in or out of the area.

The rule applies to anyone who lives a Tier 3 area, no matter where they go (even if it’s outside a Tier 3 area).

And it applies to anyone who visits a Tier 3 area while they visit, even if they live outside the very high-risk zone.

People can only meet someone from outside their household or bubble in the park, beach or open country. Even then, stick to the rule of six.

On top of normal Tier 3 rules, car boot sales, adult gaming, casinos, bingo halls, betting shops and soft play areas must also all close by law in Lancashire from Monday onwards.

But gyms and leisure centres in Lancashire will stay open, unlike in Liverpool City Region where they shut.

The new restrictions cover every part of the county of Lancashire, not just the parts covered by Lancashire County Council. So that’s:

• Burnley
• Blackburn with Darwen
• Blackpool
• Chorley
• Fylde
• Hyndburn
• Lancaster
• Pendle
• Preston
• Ribble Valley
• Rossendale
• South Ribble
• West Lancashire
• Wyre

To find out which tier you’re in, search below

Millions are banned from travelling to Wales

A travel ban preventing people from areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus from entering Wales was coming into force from 6pm on Friday 16 October.

The restriction prevents travel to Wales from areas in England in Tier 2 or 3.

It also prevents travel from the central belt of Scotland, the whole of Northern Ireland, and any other areas which are categorised as high prevalence in future.

The Welsh government claims people breaching the restriction can get £60 fines and police will patrol border roads.

But the Police Federation of England and Wales has described the travel ban as “unenforceable” and the UK government has written to the Welsh government asking for urgent clarification on how it’ll actually work.

Downing Street urged First Minister Mark Drakeford to give “more detail of his plan in the coming days”.

Northern Ireland shuts pubs, cafes, restaurants and hairdressers for four weeks

Tightened restrictions were due to take force across the whole of Northern Ireland from 6pm on Friday 16 October.

The entire hospitality sector must shut apart from for deliveries and takeaways.

Close contact services such as hairdressers are not allowed to open, “apart from those relating to the continuation of essential health interventions and therapeutics.”

‘Bubbling’ is to be limited to a maximum of 10 people from two households and no one can stay overnight in a private home unless in that bubble.

Tier 1 – ‘medium’

Social contact: Existing ‘rule of six’ limits on social gatherings remain – indoors and outdoors. You are still required to obey rules on wearing masks and social distancing.

Pubs and restaurants: Hospitality venues have a 10pm curfew and table service only.

Schools, universities and childcare: Remain open in all circumstances, but universities must reflect wider restrictions in the area.

Travel and transport: There are no restrictions on travel.

Work: The advice is to work from home if you can.

Weddings and funerals: 15 guests can attend marriage ceremonies and receptions. Funerals can have up to 30 mourners, with only 15 people allowed at the wake.

Shops: All retail – including non-essential shops – can stay open.

Gyms, hairdressers, public facilities: These can stay open.

Sports: Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided rule of six is observed

Length of time: Regulations apply to the whole of England and expire after six months, with a 28-day review of the rules.

Tier 2 – ‘high’

Social contact: You cannot meet anyone outside your household or support bubble indoors. This applies at home or in a public setting. Rule of six limits apply outdoors.

Pubs and restaurants: Hospitality venues have a 10pm curfew and table service only.

Schools, universities and childcare: Remain open in all circumstances, but universities can do more online learning.

Travel and transport: There are no restrictions on travel but you are advised to minimise the number of journey you make.

Work: The advice is to work from home if you can.

Weddings and funerals: 15 guests can attend marriage ceremonies and receptions. Funerals can have up to 30 mourners, with only 15 people allowed at the wake.

Shops: All retail – including non-essential shops – can stay open.

Gyms, hairdressers, public facilities: These can stay open.

Sports: Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided rule of six is observed

Length of time: Areas will be reviewed every 14 days, the regulations will be reviewed every 28 days and expire after 6 months

Tier 3 – ‘very high’

Social contact: You cannot meet anyone outside your household or support bubble indoors. Strict rules also ban any meet-ups in private gardens, beer gardens, hospitality or ticketed venues. You will only be able to see people not in your household or bubble is in a public open space, such as a park, forest, beach – and in groups of no more than six.

Pubs and restaurants: All bars must close unless they serve food. You can only buy alcohol if you are also consuming a “substantial meal” – not a bar snack.

Schools, universities and childcare: These remain open in all circumstances, but universities can do more online learning.

Travel and transport: You should limit any journeys made outside your local area – except for work and school run journeys. This is guidance, rather than the law. People are advised against overnight stays outside the area or having visitors to stay from elsewhere.

Work: The advice is to work from home if you can.

Weddings and funerals: 15 guests can attend marriage ceremonies but receptions are banned. Funerals can have up to 30 mourners, with only 15 people allowed at the wake.

Shops: All retail – including non-essential shops – can stay open.

Gyms, hairdressers, public facilities: Local areas can negotiate whether to close facilities including casinos and gyms, such as they have in the Liverpool City Region.

Sports: Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided rule of six is observed

Length of time: Regulations will be reviewed every 28 days and expire after 6 months.

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