Please see below the statement to the House of Commons by the UK Prime Minister. This includes announcements on stricter measures following the recent surge in infections, hospitalisations and deaths. These measures are expected to last for six months.
There will be a further televised statement by PM Johnson tonight at 20.00 that will be added to this post.
Key points:
- Schools, colleges and universities will remain open.
- Office workers who can work at home should do so.
- Key public service and key workers who cannot work from home should continue to attend their workplaces.
- From Thursday 24th September 2020 all pubs, bars and restaurants must operate a table service only except for takeaways.
- All hospitality venues must close at 10pm with doors closed, not just last orders at 10pm.
- Takeaways must also close at 10pm although deliveries can continue after 10pm.
- Compulsory wearing of masks extended to taxis, private hire vehicles and all staff in retail.
- Alll staff and customers in hospitality venues (except when seated at a table to eat or drink) must wear masks.
- In retail, leisure, tourism and other sectors government covid secure guidelines will become legal obligations. Businesses will be fined and could be closed if they breach the rules.
- From Monday 28th September a maximum of 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions.
- Up to 30 people can still attend a funeral.
- “Rule of Six” will be extended to all adult indoor team sports.
- The “Rule of Six” (when meeting friends and family you do not live with – or have formed a support bubble with – you must not meet in a group of more than six) will now therefore apply in all circumstances apart from weddings (15 people), wedding receptions (15 people), funerals (30 people) and outdoor organised team sports (30 people).
- Business conferences, events and large sporting events will not be permitted as was planned for 1st October 2020.
- People who were previously shielding will not be advised to do so again for the time being.
- These rules will be enforced by tighter penalties.
- Fine of up to £10,000 for those who fail to self isolate already exist and these fines will now be applied to businesses who break these covid rules.
- Fine for breaking the “Rule of Six” or not wearing a mask will double to £200 for a first offence.
- There will be a greater police presence on our streets and extra funding will be provided to police to enforce these rules.
- Military support will be called on where required to free up the police for other matters.
- These measures apply in England. Devolved administrations are taking “similar” measures.
- 13 million people in England are living under further restrictions over and above these national measures [see HERE for the local lockdown measures that apply in Manchester].
- “Fire power will be drawn upon” to deploy further measures if these measures do not work and people do not follow these rules.
- These new restrictions should be assumed to remain in place “for perhaps SIX MONTHS”.
What are the differences between these new national rules and the extra local lockdown rules in Manchester?
Please note at the time of this announcement the rules for the Greater Manchester local lockdown have not been updated to reflect the new national rules that apply variously with immediate effect, from Thursday 24th September and from Monday 29th September 2020 as outlined above.
The rules across Greater manchester vary between different areas. This is outlined in the link above. Key differences to the new national rules that currently apply in Manchester are outlined below.
Key differences in Manchester:
- You MUST NOT:
- host people you do not live with in your home or garden, unless they’re in your support bubble*. (A support bubble is where a household with one adult joins with another household. Households within a bubble can still visit each other, stay overnight, and visit public places together.)
- meet people you do not live with in their home or garden, whether inside or outside of the affected areas unless they’re in your support bubble.
- You are ADVISED to NOT:
- socialise with people you do not live with, unless they’re in your support bubble, in any public venue. This applies to inside and outside of the affected areas. Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks.
- visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances.
- Other differences:
- You should follow all relevant transport guidance when making a journey into, within or out of the areas affected.
- Organised dance and exercise classes can take place in groups of more than 6, where a risk assessment has been carried out, but you should limit your social interaction with other participants.
- You can continue to use early years and childcare settings, including childminders and providers offering before- or after-school clubs or other out-of-school settings for children. You can also continue to employ nannies – see guidance on working safely in other people’s homes.
- Friends or family who you do not live with should not visit your home to help with childcare unless they are part of your support bubble.
This information is provided in good faith as an accurate reflection of changing circumstances and the differences between the national and local restrictions and rules. Please follow the links for more detailed guidance and rules from the government.
Prime Minister’s Statement to the House of Commons, 22nd September 2020
Prime Minister’s broadcast to the nation, 22nd September 2020