The town where you can buy a coat for your CAT but not your child: Anger and confusion over what counts as 'essential' with pet stores and garden centres allowed to stay open while clothes shops are shut
Anger and confusion has arisen today over new lockdown restrictions which mean garden centres and pet stores can stay open while other retail stores are being forced to close.
Thousands of chain and independent retailers have, for a third time, been ordered to shut their stores across England.
The new lockdown order, which follows on from national shutdowns in March and November, comes amid rising Covid-19 infection and death figures across the country.
But some shop owners have bemoaned the harsh new restrictions, which will see all non-essential shops shut until at least mid-February.
While florists, clothes stores and book shops have all been deemed non-essential and will be forced to close, those deemed essential, such as garden centres and pet stores, will be allowed to stay open.
It means in some High Streets, such as in Haslemere, Surrey, shoppers can buy toys for their dogs and cats, but not for their children.
High Street shoppers can also take their dog to a groomer - for urgent welfare needs - but can't get a hair cut or enjoy grooming services for themselves.
That has sparked some shopkeepers to hit out at the 'inconsistency' of the rules, while others have dubbed them 'ridiculous' and 'frustrating'.
Thousands of chain and independent retailers have for a third time been ordered to shut their stores across England amid rising Covid infection and death figures. Pictured: An empty Haslemere in Surrey today with tabs showing which stores are open and which are closed
Ian Rowley has been forced to adapt to a click and collect service at The Haslemere Bookshop, seven years after he took over, despite the fact that WHSmith were allowed to remain open just a few doors down
Australian national, Helen Dillon, 60, who runs the clothing store Davids, said the rules were 'bizarre'
New manager of independent cafe Oliver's, Sean Martin , who was working at M&S during the first lockdown, said some of the new rules were 'ridiculous'
Shops in Haslemere in Surrey today had sale signs on their windows - for the usual January bonanza - but have been forced to shut due to Covid restrictions
One shop owner, who runs a clothes store in Haslemere, described the rules as 'bizarre'. Australian national, Helen Dillon, 60, who runs the store Davids, said: 'Why are pet shops more essential than my clothes shop?
'Animals have to be fed but they can also get their food and toys in the supermarkets, it is bizarre.
'In fact, in a smaller business you can be more careful with Covid and it does annoy me.
The shops, florists, pharmacies and dry-cleaners that are open or closed in Haslemere today
The Georgian Hotel
Vision express
Darnleys
The Haslemere Bookshop (OPEN - but closing)
Pizza Express -
Seymours
The Shoebox
SpaceNK
Marley flowers
Heidi
Brewers Decorators
The Swan Inn
The Haslemere Pet Co
Mooeys
Plum
David's
ANYA
Henry Adam's
Scope
Magic Scissors
Luigi's
Hemingway's
D&A Hair Design
Amazing Grace
Costa
Collingwood Batchelor
Boots
Oasis
Liphook Valet Service
Warren Powell-Richards
Lloyd's Pharmacy
Keats
The White Horse
Raymond Reid Photo
Hamptons
'We only brought the business in July 2019 and it's been a slippery slope ever since, we are expected to reopen if I can hang on by my fingernails.
'I was planning on having a massive sale at the end of January but it won't happen now because we are locked down again.'
However, one pet shop owner, said keeping his store open in lockdown has saved tax-payers money.
Owner of the Haslemere Pet Shop, Ray Murphy, 50, who has run the business for 15 years, said: 'We've been open throughout as an essential which keeps me occupied, saves the tax payer money and provides an essential service for those with pets and livestock who need to be fed.
'The difficulty is mostly when people come in with kids as they have to stay together to count as one but you have kids going around touching things, that's how the virus spreads.'
Meanwhile, R Miles & Son - a family owned hardware store which opened in 1896 - has also been allowed to remain open under national lockdown restrictions.
Manager Russell Credgington, said he felt 'lucky' the store had been deemed essential.
He said: 'We feel really lucky that things have remained normal for us.
'The lockdown has not affected us massively, it's like an apocalypse where everyone needs stuff - people have gone crazy for cleaning stuff.
'People haven't always realised that we have remained opened, but people need fuel to live, that is essential.
'We do coal, gas and logs for open fires, they are really popular in this well-to-do area,' the 35-year-old added.
Ian Rowley meanwhile has been forced to adapt to a click and collect service at The Haslemere Bookshop, seven years after he took over, despite the fact that WHSmith were allowed to remain open just a few doors down.
He said: 'We have had to adapt dramatically since Covid-19, we have had to become a virtual bookshop, offering a click and collect service. It has had a profound impact on the way we operate and how we work.
'This lockdown is just Groundhog Day, it's not really any different to other lockdowns.
'It's a bit odd that WHSmiths - who sell books - can stay open, but we cannot.
'We don't compete with online services like Amazon on price, but on service and recommendations.
'On a positive note, for independents it has been much easier to adapt than chains because we can tell about something in the morning and then do it. Whereas, chain businesses along this high street can't make those decisions, it has to go through headquarters.'
It isn't just shop owners in Haslemere who have raised an eye-brow over the lockdown rules.
New manager of independent cafe Oliver's, Sean Martin, who was working at M&S during the first lockdown, said: 'It's crazy that garden centres and WH Smiths can stay open, it's ridiculous.
'The new lockdown will affect us with the lack of customers and not being able to have anybody sit in.'
The 30-year-old cafe boss added: 'Everybody loves independents around here, we're doing a two day trial to see if it's worth staying open but at the moment we can't complain.'
Owner of the Haslemere Pet Shop for 15 years, Ray Murphy, 50, said his store being opened saved tax-payers money
He told MailOnline: 'We've been open throughout as an essential which keeps me occupied, saves the tax payer money and provides an essential service for those with pets and livestock who need to be fed.
R Miles & Son - a family owned hardware store which opened in 1896 - has also been allowed to remain open under national lockdown restrictions. Manager Russell Credgington, said he felt 'lucky' the store had been deemed essential.
Away from Haslemere, other shop owners have also expressed confusion over the rules. One barber shop chain owner, who runs sites in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire, said the measures were 'frustrating'.
Dan Champion, who runs Champion Barbers, told MailOnline: 'You get things like pet shops and estate agents can stay open - and they can't even show people around, it's a bit weird.
'I also tried to buy a card the other day and I went to the independent card shop but it was closed, so I had to go to a supermarket.
'It was much busier than the card shop would have been.'
Lockdown 3: What 'non-essential businesses must close?
Non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (excluding rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, auction houses (except for auctions of livestock or agricultural equipment) and market stalls selling non-essential goods. (These venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect off-premises, and delivery services).
Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs (they can remain open for takeaway and delivery of food and non-alcoholic drinks).
Accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites,
Leisure and sports facilities such as leisure centres and gyms, swimming pools, sports courts,fitness and dance studios, riding arenas at riding centres, climbing walls, and golf courses.
Entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, amusement arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, go-karting venues, indoor play and soft play centres and areas (including inflatable parks and trampolining centres), circuses, fairgrounds, funfairs, water parks and theme parks
Animal attractions (such as zoos, safari parks, aquariums, and wildlife reserves)
Indoor attractions at venues such as botanical gardens, stately homes and landmarks - though outdoor grounds can stay open for exercise.
Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons. Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services must also close. They can also not be done in private homes.
Community centres and halls.
'One of my staff members told me the other day that they went shopping and saw lots of older people at an open air market, surely that's got to be a risk?'
The 45-year-old father-of-two, who has run his business for the last eight years, said the third lockdown was 'difficult' for him and his staff, many of whom are self-employed.
He said: 'In some ways it is good because where we had different shops in different counties we had different rules, but it's hard for our staff.
'I had to let a few go earlier this year because of social distancing. I had seven at one of my shops but I had to cut that back to three to allow social distancing between the chairs.
'My biggest worry is at the end of all of this. I've taken some of the Bounce Back loans but when I have to pay them back I'm going to have debts, no savings and possibly higher taxes.'
Faye Louise, who runs the Forest Pet Supplies store in Ringwood, says she feels lucky to be able to remain open, and doesn't agree with the division of essential and non-essential shops
The mother-of-one told MailOnline: 'The rules are just so complicated.
'It's so wrong that you can buy a coat for your dog but not for your child.Obviously you can still buy online, but it's still wrong. They don't think about children's special needs.
'I think it's unfair that some places should be allowed to stay open when others can't. If pet stores are essential, why not kids' clothing shops?'
However the 27-year-old, from Ringwood, said she believed the lockdown was 'definitely needed'.
She added: 'We are very lucky that we've been able to stay open and are deemed essential, as others aren't so lucky.'
Wendy Lowen, who visited the store to buy food for her Jack Russell, agreed that what is deemed essential varies from person to person.
Across the road from Forest Pet Supplies is Patricia's Florist, which has had to adapt its business model to only accept orders by phone and click & collect despite garden centres being able to remain open.
Owner Patricia Taylor said: 'We have been mainly operating by click and collect since the first lockdown, but it's confusing as people are told they can come to collect flowers but are also told to stay at home.
'I don't think it's fair that garden centres can stay open.
'My customers still want to visit the shop, and I've had to furlough some staff members because we can't stay open.
'Even before the lockdown was announced last night our doors were shut, and all throughout Christmas the doors were shut.
'It's difficult because we're deemed non-essential but the wine shop next door is still allowed to open for collection and delivery.
'Does that mean wine is deemed essential? The rules are all very odd.'
Faye Louise , who runs the Forest Pet Supplies store in Ringwood, says she feels lucky to be able to remain open, and doesn't agree with the division of essential and non-essential shops
Across the road from Forest Pet Supplies is Patricia's Florist (pictured: Owner Patricia Taylor), which has had to adapt its business model to only accept orders by phone and click & collect despite garden centres being able to remain open.
It comes as hundreds of thousands of non-essential retailers were told they will have to keep their doors closed under England's third nation-wide lockdown.
The government's decision to let garden centres remain open while other retailers close has angered some bosses and shop workers.
Hotels must also close during this lockdown and guests must leave unless they are permanently resident at the premises or are unable to return home.
Boris Johnson last night told Britons that they would only be allowed to leave the house for permitted reasons - including 'to shop for essentials'.
And the government last night released guidance explaining which businesses are 'essential' after many stores controversially remained open during the November Tier 3 lockdown.
Essential retail includes food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centres, building merchants and suppliers of building products and off-licences, the Government's official website states.
The less-obvious retailers allowed to trade in person include dry cleaners, outdoor botanical gardens and cattle or farm equipment auctions - while every other kind of auction must shut.
Those caught breaking the rules - including gyms who refuse to shut - can be slapped with a £200 fine. This figure can double up to £6,400 for repeat offenders.
Scroll down for the full government guidance
Hundreds of thousands of non-essential retailers will have to keep their doors closed under England's third nation-wide lockdown
One in FIFTY people now have COVID Boris reveals as UK records another 830 deaths and 60,916 cases
Boris Johnson tonight revealed that one in 50 of the population of England - around a million people - are infected with coronavirus as he said 1.3million people have now been vaccinated.
The PM told a Downing Street briefing that the spread of the mutant version of the disease had made lockdown impossible to avoid.
But he insisted the measures can get the situation under control while vaccines are rolled out - dismissing anxiety that he is 'over-promising' by claiming the most vulnerable categories can be given jabs by mid-February.
Mr Johnson vowed to give the country 'jab by jab' information about the crucial process.
He was flanked at the press conference by medical and science chiefs Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance - whose warnings about the threat of the NHS being overwhelmed sparked the extraordinary U-turn to plunge England into new restrictions.
Asked if he thought the target of vaccinating more than 13million people over the next seven weeks was possible, Prof Whitty said it was 'realistic but not easy'.
But the medic also delivered a grim message that 'some' restrictions could still be needed next winter, as the virus was likely to be in regular circulation like flu.
The scale of the problem was underlined tonight as the UK reported a record 60,916 cases - up nearly 15 per cent on last Tuesday. The tally of deaths was 830, double the number from last week.
Mr Johnson said the total of 1.3million vaccinated so far included 1.1million people in England, and 650,000 people over the age of 80 - 23 per cent of all that age group in England.
'That means nearly one-in-four of the most vulnerable groups will have in two to three weeks a significant degree of immunity,' he said.
'That is why I believe the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation was right to draw up a programme saving the most lives the fastest.'
Prof Whitty and Sir Patrick confirmed that giving a single dose of the vaccine to more people, rather than the recommended double-dose to half the number, could potentially encourage mutations.
But he said the public health benefits of having more people with some resistance were greater.
'It is a real worry but quite a small real worry within the system,' he said.
'The public health arguments are really strongly in favour.'
Sir Patrick warned that the virus would change anyway and vaccines will need to be altered.
'The virus probably will mutate... different vaccines will be needed at that point.'
Mr Johnson also struck a gloomy note on schools, refusing to state categorically that they will return before the summer holidays - although he stressed they would be the top priority.
As ministers battle to prevent the brutal squeeze wiping out the hospitality and leisure sectors, Rishi Sunak has unveiled another £4.6billion bailout, offering one-off grants of up to £9,000 to keep venues afloat for the next seven weeks.
The Chancellor also hinted that furlough could be extended beyond April if necessary, even though the government's borrowing is spiralling out of control.
The new rules are slightly different to Tier 4 as archery and shooting ranges and outdoor riding centres were able to open under the highest tier - but must close under the new national lockdown.
All non-essential shops were able to open under Tier 3.
Other businesses allowed to remain open in the new lockdown include those providing repair services, petrol stations, automatic (but not manual) car washes, banks, post offices, short-term loan providers and funeral directors.
Vets will stay open, as will animal rescue centres, animal groomers - for welfare and not aesthetic purposes - and boarding facilities.
Car parks, public toilets and motorway service areas are all open as well.
Heritage sites that are outside will also remain open to the public - but only if they are used for 'exercise'.
Britons took to Twitter to share their confusion at why shops such as garden centres were considered essential.
Carole Bookless asked: 'Can you explain why a garden centre is classed as essential during this lockdown.
'No ones life depends on a garden centre being open.'
Emma Powell issued a stark warning to parents writing: 'My 14-year-old step daughter now goes to the garden centre because it's the new place to hang. Not satire.'
Mel added: 'You can even pop off to the garden centre. Because that is definitely essential shopping in the dead of winter.
Another furious Twitter user wrote: 'So Covid loves a crowd? If that's true then why for instance are garden centres still open?
'How are they essential retail? The garden centre demographic is Covid's favourite type of host. The mind boggles.
'Keep supermarkets open and shut everything else. It really is that simple.'
Other businesses forced to shut under the new lockdown include gyms, sparking fury online. They were previously able to operate in Tier 3 areas.
Tay said: 'Gyms, areas of safe exercise during dark and cold winters are closed when they jumped through all the hoops to open safely.
'Meanwhile I can walk into Tesco and be barged by hundreds of anti-maskers who, despite this pandemic, insist on touching every item. Make it make sense please.
'We need gyms in the winter to provide much-needed physical and mental health benefits for people such as myself.
'I've got zero space indoors to exercise and you are not getting me running in the dark, post-Covid in the cold.
'I cough up a lung when I exercise indoors. I get it, we're trying to alleviate pressure on the NHS.
'But we've also got to think about keeping people fit in the winter to help themselves to be able to survive these viruses.
'Particularly as Covid seems to destroy those who are overweight and unfit.
'Those who can afford to be able to train in gyms should be allowed to.
'And there needs to be support given to those who can't afford gym memberships right now, whether that be through government-subsidised schemes or other such avenues which could also help gyms stay afloat.'
Others claim their business will not survive the latest lockdown.
Sara Bridgeman said: 'I nearly lost my business in the first lockdown. I followed the rules and claimed benefits.
'My husband died in May and since then I've concentrated on rebuilding my business. I'm not sure if I have the will to do it again.'
The lockdown will see more than 550,000 business closures in England, according to real estate adviser Altus Group.
The company said this included 401,690 non-essential shops, 64,537 pubs or restaurants, 20,703 personal care facilities and 7,051 gyms or leisure centres.
Britons took to Twitter to share their confusion at why shops such as garden centres were considered essential
Other businesses forced to shut under the new lockdown include gyms, sparking fury online. They were previously able to operate in Tier 3 areas
Others claim their business will not survive the latest lockdown. Sara Bridgeman said: 'I nearly lost my business in the first lockdown. I followed the rules and claimed benefits. 'My husband died in May and since then I've concentrated on rebuilding my business. I'm not sure if I have the will to do it again'
Business leaders have reacted with despair to the fresh lockdown amid fears that companies may not last until the spring.
British Chambers of Commerce director general Adam Marshall yesterday said: 'Businesses will understand why the Prime Minister has felt compelled to act on the spiralling threat to public health, but they will be baffled and disappointed by the fact that he did not announce additional support for affected businesses alongside these new restrictions.
'The lockdowns announced in England and Scotland today are a body blow to our business communities, hard on the heels of lost trade during the festive season and uncertainty linked to the end of the Brexit transition period.
'Tens of thousands of firms are already in a precarious position, and now face a period of further hardship and difficulty.
'Billions have already been spent helping good firms to survive this unprecedented crisis and to save jobs. These businesses must not be allowed to fail now, when the vaccine rollout provides light at the end of this long tunnel.
Roger Barker, director of policy at the Institute of Directors, said: 'The resurgence of the virus is aggravating the pain for businesses.
Clothes shops are non-essential retailers and will have to be closed for the next six weeks of lockdown
But supermarkets will be allowed to remain open for essential food shopping
'For companies in sectors like tourism and hospitality, the vaccine-led recovery still seems a long way off. Even for organisations that can operate remotely, the closure of schools and nurseries could cause significant staffing headaches.
'The Treasury must now bolster support for the worst affected sectors. In particular, it should seek to reinforce the discretionary grant scheme allocated through local authorities, which has helped to reach those who have fallen through the gaps.
'It will also be crucial to smooth the cliff-edge in support that's fast approaching in the spring.'
What you can and cannot do during the national lockdown: The government guidelines in full
You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules.
Leaving home
You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:
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 in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. 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
Meeting others
You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).
You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble.
You should not meet other people you do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.
Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.
Detailed guidance on the national lockdown
Who this guidance is for
This guidance is for people who are fit and well. There is additional advice for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus and households with a possible or confirmed coronavirus infection. If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should not attend work, school, college or university, and limit the time you spend outside the home. You should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.
Hands. Face. Space.
Approximately 1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and could be spreading it without realising it.
Remember - 'Hands. Face. Space.'
In all circumstances, you should follow the guidance on meeting others safely.
When you can leave home
You must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a 'reasonable excuse'. This will be put in law. The police can take action against you if you leave home without a 'reasonable excuse', and issue you with a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice).
You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.
A 'reasonable excuse' includes:
There are further reasonable excuses. For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum.
Exercising and meeting other people
You should minimise time spent outside your home.
It is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble. You can only leave your home to exercise, and not for the purpose of recreation or leisure (e.g. a picnic or a social meeting). This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
You can exercise in a public outdoor place:
Outdoor sports venues, including tennis courts, golf courses and swimming pools, must close.
When around other people, stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household - meaning the people you live with - or your support bubble. Where this is not possible, stay 1 metre apart with extra precautions (e.g. wearing a face covering).
You must wear a face covering in many indoor settings, such as shops or places of worship where these remain open, and on public transport, unless you are exempt. This is the law. Read guidance on face coverings.
Support and childcare bubbles
You have to meet certain eligibility rules to form a support or childcare bubble. This means not everyone will be able to form a bubble.
A support bubble is a support network which links two households. You can form a support bubble with another household of any size only if you meet the eligibility rules.
It is against the law to form a support bubble if you do not follow these rules.
You are permitted to leave your home to visit your support bubble (and to stay overnight with them). However, if you form a support bubble, it is best if this is with a household who live locally. This will help prevent the virus spreading from an area where more people are infected.
If you live in a household with anyone aged under 14, you can form a childcare bubble. This allows friends or family from one other household to provide informal childcare.
You must not meet socially with your childcare bubble, and must avoid seeing members of your childcare and support bubbles at the same time.
There is separate guidance for support bubbles and childcare bubbles.
Where and when you can meet in larger groups
There are still circumstances in which you are allowed to meet others from outside your household, childcare or support bubble in larger groups, but this should not be for socialising and only for permitted purposes. A full list of these circumstances will be included in the regulations, and includes:
Support groups that have to be delivered in person can continue with up to 15 participants where formally organised to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support - but they must take place at a premises other than a private home.
Where a group includes someone covered by an exception (for example, someone who is working or volunteering), they are not generally counted as part of the gatherings limit. This means, for example, a tradesperson can go into a household without breaching the limit, if they are there for work, and the officiant at a wedding would not count towards the limit.
If you break the rules
The police can take action against you if you meet in larger groups. This includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fines (fixed penalty notices).
You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400. If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.
Protecting people more at risk from coronavirus
If you are clinically vulnerable, you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. There is additional advice for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should not attend work, school, college or university, and limit the time you spend outside the home. You should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.
Travel
You must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse (for example, for work or education purposes). If you need to travel you should stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live – and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall. The list of reasons you can leave your home and area include, but are not limited to:
If you need to travel, walk or cycle where possible, and plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. This will allow you to practice social distancing while you travel.
Avoid car sharing with anyone from outside your household or your support bubble. See the guidance on car sharing.
If you need to use public transport, you should follow the safer travel guidance.
International travel
You can only travel internationally – or within the UK – where you first have a legally permitted reason to leave home. In addition, you should consider the public health advice in the country you are visiting.
If you do need to travel overseas (and are legally permitted to do so, for example, because it is for work), even if you are returning to a place you've visited before, you should look at the rules in place at your destination and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice.
UK residents currently abroad do not need to return home immediately. However, you should check with your airline or travel operator on arrangements for returning.
Foreign nationals are subject to the 'Stay at Home' regulations. You should not travel abroad unless it is permitted. This means you must not go on holiday.
If you are visiting the UK, you may return home. You should check whether there are any restrictions in place at your destination.
Staying away from home overnight
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.
This includes staying in a second home or caravan, if that is not your primary residence. This also includes staying with anyone who you don't live with unless they're in your support bubble.
You are allowed to stay overnight away from your home if you:
If you are already on holiday, you should return to your home as soon as practical.
Guest accommodation providers such as hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks may remain open for the specific reasons set out in law, including where guests are unable to return to their main residence, use that guest accommodation as their main residence, need accommodation while moving house, are self-isolating as required by law, or would otherwise be made homeless as a result of the accommodation closing. A full list of reasons can be found in the guidance on closing certain businesses and venues in England.
Accommodation providers are also encouraged to work cooperatively with local authorities to provide accommodation to vulnerable groups, including the homeless.
Going to work
You may only leave your home for work if you cannot reasonably work from home.
Where people cannot work from home - including, but not limited to, people who work in critical national infrastructure, construction, or manufacturing - they should continue to travel to their workplace. This is essential to keeping the country operating and supporting sectors and employers.
Public sector employees working in essential services, including childcare or education, should continue to go into work.
Where it is necessary for you to work in other people's homes - for example, for nannies, cleaners or tradespeople - you can do so. Otherwise, you should avoid meeting for work in a private home or garden, where COVID-19 Secure measures may not be in place.
Employers and employees should discuss their working arrangements, and employers should take every possible step to facilitate their employees working from home, including providing suitable IT and equipment to enable remote working.
The risk of transmission can be substantially reduced if COVID-19 secure guidelines are followed closely. Extra consideration should be given to those people at higher risk.
Going to school, college and university
Colleges, primary (reception onwards) and secondary schools will remain open for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term.
In the circumstances, we do not think it is possible for all exams in the summer to go ahead as planned. We will accordingly be working with Ofqual to consult rapidly to put in place alternative arrangements that will allow students to progress fairly.
Public exams and vocational assessments scheduled to take place in January will go ahead as planned.
Universities
Those students who are undertaking training and study for the following courses should return to face to face learning as planned and be tested twice, upon arrival or self-isolate for ten days:
Students who do not study these courses should remain where they are wherever possible, and start their term online, as facilitated by their university until at least Mid-February. This includes students on other practical courses not on the list above.
We have previously published guidance to universities and students on how students can return safely to higher education in the spring term. This guidance sets out how we will support higher education providers to enable students that need to return to do so as safely as possible following the winter break.
If you live at university, you should not move back and forward between your permanent home and student home during term time.
For those students who are eligible for face to face teaching, you can meet in groups of more than your household as part of your formal education or training, where necessary. Students should expect to follow the guidance and restrictions. You should socially distance from anyone you do not live with wherever possible.
Childcare
There are several ways that parents and carers can continue to access childcare:
Care home visits
Visits to care homes can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, or behind windows. Close-contact indoor visits are not allowed. No visits will be permitted in the event of an outbreak.
You should check the guidance on visiting care homes during COVID-19 to find out how visits should be conducted. Residents cannot meet people indoors on a visit out (for example, to visit their relatives in the family home). There is separate guidance for those in supported living.
Weddings, civil partnerships, religious services and funerals
Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and funerals are allowed with strict limits on attendance, and must only take place in COVID-19 secure venues or in public outdoor spaces unless in exceptional circumstances.
Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. Linked religious, belief-based or commemorative events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 6 people in attendance. Anyone working is not counted in these limits. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies must only take place with up to 6 people. Anyone working is not included. These should only take place in exceptional circumstances, for example, an urgent marriage where one of those getting married is seriously ill and not expected to recover, or is to undergo debilitating treatment or life-changing surgery.
Places of worship
You can attend places of worship for a service. However, you must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. You should maintain strict social distancing at all times.
You should follow the national guidance on the safe use of places of worship.
Sports and physical activity
Indoor gyms and sports facilities will remain closed. Outdoor sports courts, outdoor gyms, golf courses, outdoor swimming pools, archery/driving/shooting ranges and riding arenas must also close. Organised outdoor sport for disabled people is allowed to continue.
Moving home
You can still move home. People outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary.
Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work. If you are looking to move, you can go to property viewings.
Follow the national guidance on moving home safely, which includes advice on social distancing, letting fresh air in, and wearing a face covering.
Financial support
Wherever you live, you may be able to get financial help
Businesses and venues
Businesses and venues which must close
To reduce social contact, the regulations require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services. The full list of businesses required to close can be found in the guidance on closing certain businesses and venues in England, but includes:
Some of these businesses and places will also be permitted to be open for a small number of exempt activities. A full list of exemptions can be found in the guidance on closing certain businesses and venues in England, but includes:
Businesses and venues which can remain open
Other businesses and venues are permitted to stay open, following COVID-19 secure guidelines. Businesses providing essential goods and services can stay open. The full list of these businesses can be found in the guidance on closing certain businesses and venues in England, but includes:
Public services
The majority of public services will continue and you will be able to leave home to visit them. These include: