Coronavirus: How rules differ in England’s second lockdown compared to first

England has been plunged into a second national lockdown to try and curb a spike in coronavirus infections.

Pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops have once again been forced to close their doors and members of the public are ordered to stay at home for the next four weeks in a bid to reverse the spread of Covid-19.

On Wednesday evening, MPs voted by 516 to 38 — a government majority of 478 — for the new restrictions, which are due to expire on December 2.

Boris Johnson has sought to reassure people the measures will be eased on December 2 as planned, and should enable shops and businesses to reopen in time for the run-up to Christmas.

But the prime minister acknowledged that it would depend on getting the R number — the reproduction rate of the virus — back down below 1.

The new restrictions that are now in place today will be slightly different from the first time the country went into lockdown in March.

Care home visits are allowed

Close family members or friends will be allowed to leave their home to visit a person staying in a care home, according to the new government regulations.

Guidance issued by the Department of Health and Social Care lists a number of ways care homes could allow visitors, including having designated visitor pods with floor-to-ceiling screens and separate entrances.

Outdoor visits with one other person are permitted, provided the area can be accessed by the loved one without going into the main building.

Visits at windows, "where the visitor doesn't need to come inside the care home or where the visitor remains in their car, and the resident is socially distanced" are also allowed.

The department said plans are currently being developed to allow specific family and friends to visit care homes supported by a testing programme, although trials will not begin until later in November.

Football is on

In the last lockdown sport of all forms was postponed immediately to help curb the virus.

But this time ‘elite’ sport, including Premier League football, will be allowed to continue despite the harsh new restrictions. However in a devastating blow to fitness fanatics, gyms have once again been forced to shut their doors.

Children are back at school

Arguably the most significant change from the last lockdown is that schools, universities and colleges will all remain open.

Students at university are being urged not to return home during term time amid concerns they could spread the virus. But they are allowed back to their homes in time for the Christmas holiday.

Childminders and nurseries will stay open and childcare bubbles, where for example a grandparent provides childcare while a parent works, will be able to continue.

Playgrounds and parks will still be open.

Public toilets will remain open

There was widespread criticism of the move to close public toilets in the first national lockdown in March.

Locals living near big parks or green spaces reacted with dismay as people relieved themselves in unsuitable areas. 

But this time they will stay open, much to the relief of the general public and those who need to use the facilities due to a medical condition.

Dentists are opticians are staying open

In the last lockdown, dentists and opticians were only allowed to permit appointments in emergency situations.

But this time they can open as usual after concerns during the previous restrictions for peoples health after thousands of missed appointments.

There will also be an extended range of things available to people compared to the last lockdown as click-and-collect options are now available.

There will be not any formal shielding

Formal shielding as happened during the March and April lockdown — where people were told not to leave home for any reason — will not be brought in. 

People over 60 and those who are clinically vulnerable are being told to be especially careful about following the rules and minimising their contact with others. 

Anyone who was formally notified that they should shield last time and not go out to work will be advised to limit their movements again.

Those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable to avoid all non-essential travel, including visits to any shops or to pharmacies. 

They should continue to attend hospital and GP appointments unless told otherwise by their doctor. It also states that children who live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, but are not clinically extremely vulnerable themselves, should still attend school.

You can exercise as much as you want

The lockdown in March limited what you were allowed to do outside, including limiting exercise to only once a day.

However the government has concerns about growing problems associated with restrictions such as obesity and mental health problems.

The new lockdown guidance says "you can and should still travel to ... spend time or exercise outdoors. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel to do so if necessary".

However exercising will be a lot different than the first lockdown that primarily took place over the spring and summer months.

Bubbles exist

Unlike last time, many people are going into the new lockdown with ‘support bubbles’, which help people from feeling isolated.

The regulations stipulate that an adult living by themselves or a single parent family is able to mix with another household.

No protests

During the first lockdown, people gathered to protest a variety of things, including marches in London for Black Lives Matter.

But this time the Prime Minister’s spokesman has said protests are not allowed and police and local authorities will first try to "engage, explain and encourage people to follow the rules before moving on to enforce the law".

You can socialise

Another fundamental change from the last lockdown is that you are able to socialise outside with one friend from a different household.

You can go to an outdoors spot like a beach or the park, as long as you keep to social distancing and neither of you is currently self-isolation.

As an additional bonus, children are pre-school age limit are not included in the two-person limit.